Investigation of South St. Paul councilmember complete, no criminal charges filed

His mother was advised that he was ill and was asked to pick him up. The child was brought to a local hospital, where he continued to display the same abnormal behaviors. During the examination, the child tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamines. He later told his mother that he ate something tasting “gross” that he found on a rug in the bathroom at the daycare.

“The state cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the child ingested meth while at Ms. Bakken’s daycare given the timing of the onset of symptoms,” said Keena in an April 29 statement. “In general, symptoms like what the child displayed – talkativeness, restlessness and vomiting – would be expected to occur within one to three hours after ingesting meth, according to poison control. Even assuming the child ingested meth while at the daycare, the state is unable to prove that Ms. Bakken knew it was present in her home and that she intentionally or recklessly allowed the child to be placed in a situation likely to harm the child’s health, or that she deprived the child necessary supervision appropriate to his age.”

Following the investigation, Bakken also issued a statement. It read, in part, “These past few months have been devastating for the child, his family, our community and for myself. The effort to recall my seat on the South St. Paul City Council has compelled me to share information about the incident. My integrity has been called into question. The simple path would be to step down from my duties as a council member and not challenge decisions that have impacted my ability to continue to serve children and families. My personal integrity demands I defend my reputation as a childcare advocate and community representative and this path has been difficult.”

In the statement, Bakken said the child was not in her care for several hours on the morning in question, and that she herself had picked him up from his preschool to bring him to her daycare. She immediately noticed he wasn’t acting like his normal self. After further assessment, she contacted the boy’s mother and suggested she take him to a doctor to be evaluated.

“While the child was in the hospital, his mother kept me informed of what was happening and I offered my support,” she wrote. “That evening, I spoke with the mother, who informed me that the child tested positive for a controlled substance. She asked me for advice, and I told her to pursue an investigation.”

Bakken said she placed the initial call to the South St. Paul Police Department and asked that an officer be dispatched to speak with the child’s parents. Bakken allowed her home to be searched, and she and all other adult staff who were with the child at the daycare on December 6 volunteered to take a hair follicle drug test. She said the results of all tests were negative, and that no drugs were found in her home.

The Recall Bakken group has since backed down from calling for Bakken’s resignation or removal from office. However, in its own statement the group expressed its displeasure at the city remaining silent during the investigation.

“From the beginning of this process, we have asked for accountability and transparency from our elected officials,” read the statement. “Our hearts are with the (child’s) family, and we will continue to hold our local officials accountable…. Our community needs elected officials with integrity – something we intend to continue to pursue, as we hold our officials to a higher standard on all matters. Our community also needs to heal, and we hope that everyone involved, including and especially Council Member Bakken, will take every effort to ensure that happens.”

According to the City of South St. Paul’s statement, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act limits what the City can share publicly about such matters.

“In response to those members of the community that have communicated a desire for the City or the City Council to compel action in the wake of this matter, it should be stated that no single member, nor any collective majority, of the City Council has the authority to remove another council member from elected office,” read the statement. “We recognize the community’s desire for transparency and appreciate the public’s patience throughout this process. Now that the investigation has concluded, we would like to reaffirm our commitment to being clear, honest and impartial in our communication about this sensitive – but ultimately private – matter.”

Bakken’s in-home daycare license remains suspended by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. She is appealing the suspension, and a hearing is scheduled for July 31.

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