Grand Forks, ND – A Grand Forks woman is set to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge after being caught on video shaking and slamming a 1-year-old child at a local daycare in October.
The shocking incident occurred at Hopeful Beginnings Child Care inside Hope Church, where a co-worker recorded Jarae Grad during what was initially believed to be aggressive burping. The video later revealed that Grad forcefully shook the toddler before lifting and slamming them onto the ground, according to a police report.
Investigators say Grad admitted to authorities that she was trying to stop the baby from crying. The co-worker, concerned about Grad’s actions, recorded the incident and turned the evidence over to authorities.
On Friday, Feb. 14, Grad signed an agreement to plead guilty to contributing to the deprivation of a minor, a misdemeanor, while prosecutors agreed to drop the felony child abuse charge as part of the deal.
The plea agreement includes no jail time but requires one year of probation. Grad must also complete anger management therapy and is barred from working as a caregiver.
The final plea hearing will take place in two weeks, where a judge will determine if the agreement is accepted.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News