Jan 29, 2008 11:01 pm US/Central
Police: Boy, 3, Assaulted At Casino Child Care
ONAMIA, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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The child was apparently in a play area when workers found him.
CBS
Tribal Police at Grand Casino Mille Lacs are investigating the assault and rape of a 3-year-old at the Kids Quest Child Care Center located in the casino. They think the person responsible is a 9-year-old boy.
A promotional video calls Kids Quest a safe, secure and fun place, saying "parents trust us, kids love us."
However, investigators say Kids Quest was anything but safe for a 3-year-old boy last week.
"It's unconscionable that this could happen. If anybody is standing within a few feet of the playground, within 30 feet, they should be able to hear a kid being assaulted," said the victim's attorney Richard Ruhonen.
The child was apparently in a play area when workers found him.
"He had bruises on his arm that showed that he was either pulled or held down. He had finger marks on his neck and by his face, like fingernail marks and bruising," said Ruhonen.
The next day a doctor discovered more had happened to the 3-year-old.
"There was definitely some indication that he had been sexually assaulted," said Ruhonen.
Grand Casino Mille Lacs leases the Kids Quest space to New Horizon.
"We're very upset over the entire situation. We are actively and aggressively investigating," said Mille Lacs Band Of Ojibwe Solicitor General Rjay Brunkow.
Surveillance tape apparently may show the child suspected of assaulting the little boy.
"A 9-year-old child was the perpetrator," said Brunkow.
In a written statement, New Horizon said the company is aware of the allegations and is "aggressively and proactively investigating it right now."
Kids Quest also said it's "working closely with tribal law enforcement to gather the details we need to properly address the situation."
The casino is also working with Kids Quest to make changes so this never happens again.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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