Lakeville Day-Care Operator Pleads Guilty to Operating Without License

A former Lakeville day-care operator has pleaded guilty to continuing to operate her home-based center, even after the state indefinitely suspended her license.

Brenda Lee Lysholm, 46, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of providing a residential program without a license and was sentenced to one year of probation. She was also ordered to pay court costs of $255.

Lysholm, who operated Brenda’s Sharing & Caring Childcare at her home in the 17600 block of Hemlock Avenue, was charged Sept. 13.

In July, the Minnesota Department of Human Services indefinitely suspended Lysholm’s home day-care license after finding a number of violations during an unannounced visit by a Dakota County social services worker.

However, Lysholm told a caller on Sept. 19 that she was accepting new clients, and that she could offer transportation to and from schools for the children in her care.

On Sept. 24, Lysholm was arrested for drunken driving after police say she rear-ended a car at a red light at Dodd Boulevard and 175th Street West in Lakeville.  

That case, in which Lysholm faces two counts of DWI and count of careless driving, is pending. An omnibus hearing is scheduled Jan. 31, with a jury trial set for March 18.

Lysholm has been released from custody in that case on a $12,000 bond.