Grand Forks, ND – A Grand Forks mother is demanding justice after learning that the day care worker accused of slamming her 1-year-old to the ground will likely avoid jail time due to a plea deal reached with prosecutors.
Incident Date: October 2024 Location: Hopeful Beginnings Day Care (Hope Church) – Grand Forks, ND
Victim: 18-month-old Miley
Mother: Brittany Becker
Judge: Jay Knudson
Defendant: Jarae Grad (22)
Next Court Hearing: March 10, 2025
What Happened?
October 2024 – Jarae Grad, a worker at Hopeful Beginnings Day Care, was arrested after video footage allegedly showed her slamming 18-month-old Miley to the ground in a fit of rage because she couldn’t handle the crying baby.
Video Evidence – Investigators said the footage shows Miley’s head snapping back and forth before Grad slams her to the floor.
No Serious Injuries? – Prosecutors told Becker the felony charge would be hard to prove because Miley did not suffer serious injuries.
The Plea Deal – On February 14, Grad signed a deal reducing the felony child abuse charge to a misdemeanor. No jail time is recommended. Instead, Grad must:
Take an anger management course Be prohibited from working with children
March 10 Hearing – Becker plans to personally ask Judge Knudson to reject the deal.
Mother’s Fight for Justice
Brittany Becker, Miley’s mother, refuses to stay silent:
“She can’t talk, so I’m going to be her voice. I have been her voice, and I always will be.”
Miley’s older sister (5 years old) has also been affected:
“We have even caught my 5-year-old daughter checking on Miley throughout the day.”
Becker’s message to the judge:
“There’s no real way to make this right, but I am hoping the judge sees Miley for who she is.”
Emotional Impact:
- The trauma remains unknown – Miley is physically recovering, but long-term mental effects are uncertain.
- The attack replays in Becker’s mind daily.
Public Reaction & Legal Concerns
Public Outrage – Many in the community believe Grad should serve time for her actions.
Legal Debate –
- Prosecutors argue that without clear physical injuries, a felony conviction is unlikely.
- Critics say the video evidence should be enough to warrant a harsher punishment.
Next Steps:
- Judge Jay Knudson will review the plea deal on March 10.
- The public and Miley’s family are waiting to see if the judge will reject it.
What Do You Think?
Should Jarae Grad serve jail time for slamming 1-year-old Miley?
Sound off in the comments & share your thoughts!
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I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News
Brittany Becker’s daughter Miley, at 1 one year old