SFPD: Alleged ‘physical harm’ to child at day care

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Sioux Falls police are sharing what they know about an ongoing investigation that involves possible child abuse at a Sioux Falls day care.

The Child Protection Division of the South Dakota Department of Social Services told police it received a report about possible physical abuse at Wildflower Academy. As of Wednesday afternoon, police say no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed, but the doors to the day care remain closed.

“One of the things the police department does in situations like this is we’re looking for the well-being of children, other children that may be present. We had enough information that we believed there was a potential that other children may be in harm’s way if they stayed in that day care,” Sam Clemens with the Sioux Falls Police Department said.

Police said the allegation involves one employee of the day care and one child at the facility.Authorities do not believe any other children were involved at this time.

“I can say it was physical. It did not involve any sexual component, but it was some physical harm is what the allegation is,” Clemens said.

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Police told parents yesterday they’d need to pick up their children from Wildflower Academy. One parent said losing their day care, even if it’s only temporary, is heartbreaking. Police add that situations like this aren’t common in Sioux Falls, but they do happen.

“It’s still pretty rare. It happens from time to time. Usually, it makes pretty big news when it does,” Clemens said.

How long the doors to Wildflower Academy will remain closed is in the hands of the DSS. According to its website, the facility is licensed to care for up to 151 kids.

KELOLAND News reached out to Wildflower Academy for comment and have not heard back. We also reached out to DSS for additional information on the alleged abuse and provided a list of questions to be answered, and we are waiting for a response.

Police can not confirm whether the situation is child abuse or not until the investigation is over.

KELOLAND News spoke with the owner of Wildflower Academy in 2021 about day care costs.