A Daycare Teacher Accused of Drunken Incident with a Child
A 21-year-old daycare teacher in Minnesota has been accused of allegedly slamming a child’s head into a wall while under the influence of alcohol. Aniya Keosongseng, who worked at Milestones Early Learning Center in Plymouth, was reportedly drunk during her lunch break on February 23. She has since been charged with gross misdemeanors of endangering a child and interfering with a police officer.
According to a complaint obtained by Law & Crime, a fellow daycare aide called the police after becoming concerned that Keosongseng was having a “panic attack.” When officers arrived, they found the employee slurring her words and stumbling, as reported in the document. Her blood alcohol level was recorded at .356, which is more than four times the legal limit.
Surveillance footage reviewed by police showed Keosongseng picking up a child and then stumbling backward, allegedly slamming the child’s head against a wall. As she tried to console the student, the report states that she lost balance and fell on top of the child.
Police also noted that Keosongseng appeared to be nodding off while buttoning a child’s outfit. Employees described her behavior as deteriorating throughout the day, according to the filing. When officers attempted to arrest her, Keosongseng reportedly avoided them by pulling away and dropping to the floor. The report also alleged that she bit an officer on the leg. She admitted to going home during her lunch hour to drink alcohol and was taken to the hospital.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, dangerously high blood alcohol levels can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can be life-threatening. This incident highlights the risks associated with impaired judgment and physical coordination.
Daycare Center’s Response
Milestones Early Learning Center, where Keosongseng was employed, stated that she was immediately fired following the incident. Representatives for the center told KSTP that while they were proud of how their team handled the situation, they were deeply disappointed by the cause.
The statement from the center read: “While we are proud of how our team handled the situation, we were deeply disappointed to learn the cause.” It added, “The staff member was immediately terminated as there is a zero tolerance for alcohol or drug use.”
However, the daycare center disputed reports that Keosongseng had slammed a child’s head or harmed a student in any way. In a statement, they said, “We did not observe any instance in which a child was injured or placed at risk due to the staff member’s actions.” They also mentioned that they would be following up with the police department to understand why their report suggested otherwise.
Detectives spoke with both the directors and families after completing their review. At that time, they communicated that no child was injured as a result of the staff member’s behavior, which is consistent with what the center observed in the video.
Background and Next Steps
Milestones Early Learning Center’s assistant director told police that Keosongseng worked with children aged 12 months to 16 months. She was responsible for feeding them, changing their diapers, and putting them down for naps. Employees said there had never been any prior issues with Keosongseng, and she underwent a robust background check before being hired.
The daycare center’s website emphasizes that it provides a “safe, fun and nurturing environment for children of all ages.” Despite this, the incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of the children in their care.
Keosongseng was released after being booked at Hennepin County Jail. Her first court appearance is scheduled for April 16. The Daily Mail contacted Milestones Early Learning Center, the Plymouth Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and Keosongseng for more information.
