South St. Paul council member's daycare license reinstated
South St. Paul City Council member Pam Bakken had her in-home daycare license conditionally reinstated after appealing the state's revocation tied to a Dec. 6, 2024 incident in which a 3-year-old tested positive for methamphetamine. Dakota County prosecutors rescinded a maltreatment determination, saying they could not prove exposure occurred at the daycare beyond a reasonable doubt, but a separate DHS order keeps the facility closed pending conditions; residents have launched a recall petition with over 2,500 signatures.
Local Government
Public Safety
🔍 Key Facts
- A 3-year-old tested positive for methamphetamine after reportedly ingesting something at the South St. Paul daycare on Dec. 6, 2024 and was hospitalized.
- DHS suspended the license in March and revoked it in July; after an appeal, Dakota County prosecutors rescinded the maltreatment finding and DHS reinstated a two-year conditional license.
- Residents have collected more than 2,500 signatures on a recall petition seeking Bakken's removal from the South St. Paul City Council.
📍 Contextual Background
- State regulatory agencies maintain inspection records for licensed child care/day care centers that document safety violations and citations.
- Regulatory inspections of day care centers can result in formal citations for safety violations.
- A Minnesota Attorney General's Office investigation of Havenbrook-managed homes found conditions including no heat, backed-up sewer systems, doors and windows that did not close, mold, and live wild animals.
- The Minnesota Attorney General's Office sued Havenbrook and secured approximately $2 million in payments to renters plus about $2 million in rent forgiveness as part of a settlement.