FARGO – A Fargo child-care provider is accused of hitting an infant in her care hard enough to bruise the baby after the little girl wouldn't stop crying.
Kelly Jo Topp is charged in Cass County District Court with Class B felony child abuse.
The baby's parents told police they'd discovered bruises on the 3-month-old girl's bottom on the night of Jan. 4, court records say.
The girl’s mother, Katie Kringstad, sent a picture of her daughter's injuries to a doctor, who advised her to contact police.
Topp told the Kringstads their daughter had been fussy Jan. 4, and told police other children at the day care were covering their ears when the baby was screaming, court records say.
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Topp told police while changing the child's diaper at about 10 a.m., she patted her on the bottom and back harder than needed, in a manner that "probably was a spank," police allege in court records.
Topp's attorney, Cash Aaland, declined comment, other than to say his client plans to plead not guilty.
Her next court appearance has not yet been set.
