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

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A woman has been arrested after police say she attempted to hang a toddler at a day care Friday morning in south Minneapolis. 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.

The arrested female has been identified as 42-year-old Nataliia Mykhaylivna Karia. She was taken to HCMC for medical treatment. She will be booked into Hennepin County Jail when she is released from the hospital.

Minneapolis police officers responded to the 2700 block of Humboldt Avenue South at 9:43 a.m. Friday on a report of an injured child. As officers were responding to the scene they learned that an adult female had intentionally hanged a 16-month-old boy who was in her care.

Prior to officers arriving at the scene, a parent dropping off their child had removed the toddler victim from the house. 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.

This case is being investigated by the Minneapolis Police Department’s Homicide Unit and the Crimes Against Children Unit. The Minnesota State Patrol is assisting by conducting the accident investigations.

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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