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MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | South Saint Paul Daycare Worker Charged With Malicious Punishment of Child
Prosecutors allege the 60-year-old employee pulled a young girl's ear hard enough to leave visible bruising.
SOUTH SAINT PAUL, MN (September 2, 2026) A South Saint Paul daycare worker has been charged with malicious punishment of a child after investigators said a young girl suffered bruising to her ear.
Karen Denise Dudley, 60, of West Saint Paul, faces a gross-misdemeanor charge in connection with an incident alleged to have occurred between January 28 and January 30 at a daycare facility in South Saint Paul.
According to the criminal complaint, police began investigating February 2 after receiving a report of suspected child abuse.
The girl's mother had noticed bruising on the upper outside portion of her daughter's right ear.
When asked how she had been injured, the child reportedly said Dudley had pulled her.
Investigators subsequently interviewed people connected to the daycare and reviewed the allegation before prosecutors filed the charge.
A criminal charge is an accusation and does not constitute proof of guilt.
Dudley is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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