Day Care Worker Pleads Guilty in Blaine Infant Abuse Case

Guilty Plea Entered in Blaine Day Care Case

A 25-year-old Twin Cities day care worker, Chloe Johnson, pleaded guilty to malicious punishment of a child after she was recorded on surveillance video abusing several infants at a day care facility in Blaine, Minnesota, according to court documents.

Johnson’s plea relates to conduct that occurred at Small World Daycare Center in Blaine. Court documents state that surveillance footage showed Johnson and another worker, 24-year-old Elizabeth Wiemerslage, treating three infants roughly. Their actions in the video were described in the documents as aggressive and violent.

Charges and Plea Agreement Details

In addition to the malicious punishment charge to which she pleaded guilty, Johnson was also charged with two counts of aiding and abetting third-degree assault and two counts of aiding and abetting malicious punishment of a child. Under the terms of a plea deal, if it is accepted, those additional charges will be dismissed.

Johnson’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 27. Court documents identify the location of the alleged abuse as Small World Daycare Center in Blaine, a city in Minnesota’s Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Co-Defendant Previously Sentenced

Johnson and Wiemerslage were charged last year after police received a report of potential child abuse at the Blaine day care center. Following that report, investigators reviewed surveillance footage that showed both women treating three infants roughly.

Wiemerslage pleaded guilty to one count of malicious punishment of a child and one count of third-degree assault. She was sentenced to 90 days in jail as a result of those convictions. The case against Johnson is ongoing pending her sentencing.

Guidance on Reporting Child Abuse

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families advises people to report concerns about child abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse to the county or Tribal Nation where the child lives. The department states that a list of Minnesota county and tribal child protection agencies is available for the public. It further recommends calling 911 if there is an immediate concern of harm to a child.