Worker fired after video shows alleged assault on 4-year-old
St. Paul police and the Dakota County court system are investigating an incident at a Lower Afton Road daycare after a 4-year-old child returned home with facial bruising and a teacher was subsequently terminated. Court documents show Aaron Bonnette, 29, has been charged with malicious punishment of a child, a gross misdemeanor.
The criminal complaint says the child’s mother reported on June 29 that bruises appeared after her son attended New Horizon Academy earlier that week. The daycare director told police the center reviewed video footage that allegedly captured the teacher striking the child multiple times and lifting the child into the air as the child tried to run away.
"Safety is our number-one priority. This employee grossly violated our safety standards and did not comply with our strict professional protocols," New Horizon said in a statement to WCCO.
The facility’s director of licensing told police that the employee later said he had used a blanket to cover the child’s mouth because the child was spitting. The complaint describes the video as showing the child appearing frightened and then being struck in the face repeatedly.
What happened and what officials have done
- Worker terminated: The employee was removed from the classroom and fired after the incident was identified on video, the daycare said.
- Charges filed: Bonnette faces a gross misdemeanor count of malicious punishment of a child in Dakota County.
- Notifications: New Horizon reported the matter to state licensing authorities and said both internal and external investigations are underway.
The child remains enrolled at the school, the director said, and New Horizon indicated it has been coordinating with the family to address their concerns and stabilize the situation. The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families recommends that concerns about child abuse, neglect or sexual abuse be reported to the county or Tribal Nation where the child lives, and urges calling 911 if a child is in immediate danger.
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| June (earlier in week) | Child attends New Horizon Academy; later observed with facial bruises |
| June 29 | Mother contacts police to report bruising |
| Late June / early July | Daycare reviews video, terminates employee, notifies licensing |
| July (court filing) | Charge of malicious punishment of a child filed against Aaron Bonnette, 29 |
The case underscores ongoing public concerns in Ramsey County and across Minnesota about oversight, staffing practices and reporting at child care providers. Gross misdemeanor charges in Minnesota can carry local penalties and can affect licensing and employment prospects for those convicted. The criminal process will determine whether prosecutors can prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
Parents and guardians in St. Paul and surrounding communities often rely on licensed child care centers for daily care. Incidents that reach the level of criminal allegations prompt scrutiny from county child protection, state licensing and local law enforcement, and can lead to changes in facility practices or penalties if violations are confirmed.
Anyone with information about this incident or concerns about child safety is encouraged to contact local law enforcement, the county child protection agency for where the child lives, or the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families as appropriate.
