Crookston Woman Charged After 3-Year-Old Found Alone

Crookston (trfnews.i234.me) — Bree Lynn Olson faces a gross misdemeanor child neglect charge in Polk County District Court.

Prosecutors allege Olson failed to provide proper supervision for her 3-year-old child on July 15, 2026.

The child was found alone near West Robert Street in Crookston, according to the criminal complaint.

The charge carries up to 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

Child Found Near Bridge

The complaint says a woman driving to work spotted the young child around 7:05 a.m.

She reported seeing the child walking in grass near West Robert Street while wearing only a diaper.

The child then ran toward a bridge and down the riverbank, according to the complaint.

The woman was able to get the child to come with her.

Law enforcement said the child was active and nonverbal.

Authorities were initially unable to determine the child’s name or identify a parent.

Polk County Social Services was contacted while investigators worked to identify the child.

Authorities later believed the child belonged to Bree Lynn Olson.

The complaint says investigators called Olson but received no answer.

Social services workers later identified Olson as the child’s mother, according to the complaint.

The child was placed with Polk County Social Services.

Authorities went to Olson’s home around 8:55 a.m.

The complaint says three other children were looking outside through a window.

Investigators reported the window screen was removed.

Two young children were standing just inside the open window, according to the complaint.

Authorities believed the children could have climbed through it.

The children told investigators that Olson was sleeping inside the home.

They woke Olson, who then came to the door.

Police told Olson the 3-year-old had been found and was safe.

The complaint also describes an earlier incident involving the same child.

On May 21, 2026, a bus driver found the child walking near East Third Street.

Authorities identified the child and Olson during that earlier incident.

The new case alleges Olson willfully failed to provide supervision appropriate for the child’s age.

Prosecutors say the alleged lack of supervision could have caused substantial harm.

The statute covers neglect involving necessary supervision, food, shelter, health care, or other basic needs.

The case is filed under court number 60-CR-26-1159.

Public court records can be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The criminal complaint contains allegations and is not a finding of guilt.

Olson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.