MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | East Bethel Daycare Worker Charged After Surveillance Video Allegedly Captures Assaults on Children

EAST BETHEL, Minn. (May 31, 2026) A 22-year-old Bethel woman who worked at an East Bethel child care center has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of fifth-degree assault after authorities say surveillance video captured her striking two children in her care during separate incidents at the facility.

Emily Rose Kernanen was charged in Anoka County District Court following an investigation into allegations of child maltreatment at Compass Child Care in East Bethel. The charges stem from incidents that allegedly occurred on April 23, 2026, according to a criminal complaint filed by the State of Minnesota.

The case began when Anoka County Sheriff's deputies responded to a report from a fellow daycare employee who alleged that Kernanen had physically struck a child while supervising children at the center.

According to the complaint, the employee told investigators she was seated at a table with several children when she observed Kernanen "smack" a child in the mouth with an open hand. The witness further reported that Kernanen used profanity toward the child, allegedly calling the child a "bitch." The child immediately began crying, according to the report.

Investigators subsequently interviewed Kernanen regarding the allegations.

According to court documents, Kernanen acknowledged making physical contact with the child, telling deputies she had "bopped [the child] on the mouth." The complaint also states that Kernanen admitted using the word "bitch" during the interaction.

Authorities later reviewed internal surveillance footage from Compass Child Care as part of the investigation. According to the criminal complaint, the video appeared to corroborate portions of the witness statements and documented two separate encounters involving Kernanen and children at the facility.

The first incident occurred at approximately 12:32 p.m., according to investigators. The footage allegedly shows Kernanen walking near a group of tables while a child is crying with a hand raised near her face. The complaint states that Kernanen then leaned toward the child and said, "Do we talk like that? Is that how we talk? No."

Investigators noted that the child appeared visibly upset during the interaction.

The complaint further describes a second incident involving a different child later that same day.

According to investigators, surveillance footage shows Kernanen approaching the child, bending down, and striking the child's right hand. Moments later, she appears to slap the child on the forehead. Audio captured during the interaction allegedly records Kernanen telling the child to "put your socks and shoes on" and stating, "We're not playing with toys."

The complaint further alleges that Kernanen then tossed the child's socks and shoes toward the child's legs.

The allegations prompted criminal charges under Minnesota's fifth-degree assault statute, which generally prohibits intentionally inflicting or attempting to inflict bodily harm upon another person, or committing an act intended to cause fear of immediate bodily harm.

Compass Child Care is a state-licensed child care provider serving families in East Bethel and surrounding communities. State licensing records list the facility as an active licensed child care center.

Court records indicate Kernanen is charged with two counts of misdemeanor fifth-degree assault. As of publication, the case remains pending in Anoka County District Court.

Criminal charges represent allegations only. Kernanen is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The investigation was conducted by the Anoka County Sheriff's Office. Additional details may emerge as the case proceeds through the court system.

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