Toddler Survives 'Horrific' Hanging Attempt at Day Care

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A 16-month-old child is alive after he was hanged by a woman at a day care Friday morning in south Minneapolis, according to police. The suspect, believed by police to be the day care provider, fled the scene in a vehicle, crashed into a pedestrian and a bicyclist, and later attempted to jump from a freeway overpass before she was apprehended, according to police.

“It’s horrific, horrific," Assistant Police Chief Kris Arneson said at a news conference Friday.

At 9:43 a.m., officers were called to the 2700 block of Humboldt Avenue South on a call that a female had intentionally hung a toddler at a day care.

Before officers arrived, a parent had removed the toddler from the scene. The suspect had already fled the scene in her gold minivan. At 9:57 a.m., police received a 911 call on a hit-and-run accident nearby at 28th and Grand Avenue South. Police say a male was struck there by the same gold minivan and dragged several blocks. The victim has several broken bones and abrasions but is expected to survive his injuries.

At 9:59 a.m., police received another 911 call reporting that the same minivan hit a person on a bicycle at 28th and Park Avenue South. This bicyclist is believed to be injured, but police do not know the extent of the victim’s injuries.

At 10:06 p.m., another call came in reporting that there was a person, later identified as the suspect, threatening to jump off of the Park Avenue Bridge over Interstate 94. Police say there were other citizens on the scene holding the suspect down so she could not jump. Minneapolis police arrived shortly after and joined in the struggle to prevent the suspect from jumping onto the freeway. She was then taken into custody.

The suspect is currently being evaluated at a nearby hospital. Six investigative units are currently looking into the scene, including homicide and crimes against children. The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the hit-and-run. Minneapolis police chaplains are meeting with victims and police.

Patch will continue to update this story.

Image via Minnesota Department of Transportation