Minneapolis Day Care Owner Hung Toddler from Basement Pipe: Charges

A Minneapolis woman has been charged with attempted murder after police say she tried to hang a toddler in her day care, 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. Nataliia Karia, 42, was charged with second-degree attempted murder, as well as fourth-degree assault of an infant and criminal vehicular operation.

The criminal complaint alleges Karia, who runs the day care out of her south Minneapolis home, tried to hang the 16-month-old boy from a basement pipe Friday using two pairs of children’s tights fashioned into a noose, according to the Star Tribune.

When a parent arrived at the day care, Karia told him that she couldn’t take it anymore and told him to go see what she’d done, according to the complaint.

• Woman Arrested After Attempting to Hang a Toddler in Minneapolis: Police

The father told police he heard a baby crying from the basement and rescued him from the noose.

Minneapolis police officers responded to the residence at 9:43 a.m. Friday on a report of an injured child.

The female suspect fled the scene in a gold minivan. The child was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) for medical treatment and is expected to survive, according to a news release.

At about 9:57 a.m., a 911 caller stated that there was a hit-and-run accident involving a gold minivan at 28th Street West and Grand Avenue South. The female suspect had struck an adult male standing outside of his vehicle. According to police, the man was dragged a several blocks before he was eventually transported to HCMC where he was treated for several broken bones and abrasions. He is expected to survive his injuries.

Another 911 call was made at 9:59 a.m. after the suspect in the gold minivan hit an adult male on a bicycle at 28th Street East and Park Avenue South. The female suspect continued to flee northbound on Park Avenue South. This male victim was transported to HCMC with a broken leg.

At 10:06 a.m. citizens called 911 stating that an adult female was threatening to jump off the bridge on Park Avenue South over I-94. The citizens were holding the female suspect down so she couldn’t jump. Minneapolis police officers arrived shortly after and joined in the struggle to prevent her from going over the edge onto the freeway.

MPD chaplains were at the scene of the day care Friday to talk with parents who arrived to pick up their children. They have also been at the hospital and the 5th Police Precinct to talk with anyone who has been affected by this difficult case.

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