Minnesota Daycare Operator Sentenced in Horrific Child Abuse Case

Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Minnesota day care provider has been sentenced to 7.5 years in prison for severely injuring an infant in her care.

58-year-old Michelle Maree Holte earlier entered a guilty plea to a first-degree assault charge in the case. The criminal complaint accused her of child abuse at her daycare home in Champlin last fall.

According to the charges, the parents of a six-month-old boy picked him up from Holte's daycare on the afternoon of October 18, and when they arrived at their home, they discovered the baby would not turn his head straight and his eyes were "bouncing while still veering left." His parents then took him to the hospital and Champlin police were notified.

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The court document says Holte told investigators the infant had been dropped by another child at the daycare, but the doctor treating the baby indicated the injuries could not be explained by that story. Champlin police say a child at the daycare told investigators that Holte was rough with the infant, and using anatomical dolls, showed how Holte the daycare operator allegedly held the child at eye level and then dropped the six-month-old.

The criminal complaint says the infant suffered a hematoma and was placed in a medically induced coma with a portion of his skull removed to help deal with brain swelling. It also states that his injuries are likely to have long-term medical consequences.

With credit for good behavior, Holte will be eligible for release in June, 2029.

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