DICKINSON, ND (trfnews.i234.me) – A Dickinson daycare operator has been sentenced after a 7-month-old baby suffered serious injuries while in her care.
Jennifer Eilts received two years of probation following a child neglect case involving Tiny Toes Daycare.
The infant suffered severe bite wounds that required emergency medical treatment and several days in the hospital.
Eilts was sentenced Monday, November 2, 2026, in Stark County District Court.
Daycare Operator Avoids Jail Time
Eilts pleaded guilty to two criminal charges connected to the daycare investigation.
Those charges included:
- Child neglect – Class C felony
- Operating a family child care home without a required license – Class B misdemeanor
According to court records, the judge suspended confinement on both charges.
Instead, Eilts received two years of supervised probation for the felony conviction.
She also received two years of unsupervised probation for the misdemeanor conviction.
Both probation terms will run concurrently.
The court also strictly prohibited Eilts from working in any position involving the supervision of children during probation.
Seven-Month-Old Baby Suffers Severe Bite Injuries
The criminal case began following an incident on January 8, 2026, at Tiny Toes Daycare in Dickinson.
The child’s parents reported that their 7-month-old daughter suffered numerous bite wounds while attending the daycare.
Family members said another child caused the injuries while the baby was under Eilts’ supervision.
The injuries required emergency medical care, hospitalization, and several days of inpatient treatment.
The family later shared photographs documenting the injuries to raise awareness about child safety.
Father Describes Lasting Impact on Family
During sentencing, the child’s father, William Craig, described how the incident changed his family’s life.
He told the court that the experience damaged his trust in other people caring for his daughter.
Craig said the parents no longer felt comfortable placing their child in daycare.
As a result, the family made major changes to their careers and daily routines.
They decided to care for their daughter at home rather than return her to another daycare facility.
Craig also described the emotional and financial challenges resulting from the incident.
Mother Calls for Stronger Daycare Safety Rules
The child’s mother, Brittney Theurer, said the family wanted to protect other children from similar experiences.
She explained that her goal was to speak for children who cannot defend themselves.
The parents also questioned why the daycare was permitted to continue operating during the criminal proceedings.
They expressed appreciation to prosecutors and the court for pursuing the case.
However, they urged state and local officials to review safeguards involving daycare providers under investigation.
The family believes stronger oversight could help prevent similar incidents at other child care facilities.
Sentencing Includes Two-Year Child Care Ban
Under the criminal judgment, Eilts cannot work in a position supervising children throughout her probationary period.
The restriction covers the two-year probation period imposed by the court.
Additional information about the sentencing was reported by Valley News Live and KFYR-TV.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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