A Bloomington family’s nanny cam has landed their au pair in jail after home surveillance video allegedly showed repeated abuse of their five‑month‑old baby inside the house. The 29‑year‑old woman was arrested this week when officers responded to the family’s report and now faces both a felony charge and a gross‑misdemeanor count, according to court records. The parents told investigators they dug into the camera clips after noticing their older child suddenly acting fearful, then called police once they saw what was recorded.
According to MN CRIME, the home system, which triggers recording when the baby cried, captured several separate incidents. In footage from Wednesday, the au pair is allegedly seen lifting the infant from a bouncer and dropping or tossing the child onto a sloped mat from about two feet above the floor. Video from Thursday reportedly shows the caregiver shoving a pacifier into the baby’s mouth while covering the child’s nose and mouth, hitting the infant’s back multiple times, flipping the baby so the child’s head swung around, and at one point slapping the baby across the face. Officers noted a visible mark on the infant’s face after watching the clips.
Charges and legal exposure
Under Minnesota Statutes, malicious punishment of a child can be charged as a felony when it causes bodily harm to a child younger than four, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Gross‑misdemeanor versions of the offense can bring up to 364 days in jail and fines of up to $3,000, according to Minnesota courts. The current criminal complaint is an accusation only, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
According to MN CRIME, court records indicate the woman is being held on $40,000 bail with conditions that include no contact with the baby and a requirement that she remain law‑abiding. Officers arrested her at the family’s home after responding to the parents’ call, and prosecutors say she was expected to make an initial appearance in Hennepin County court on Tuesday morning.
Why video evidence matters
Footage like the clips in this case has become central to a number of recent child‑maltreatment investigations, and both advocates and lawmakers have been pushing cameras as a critical tool for catching abuse that often happens behind closed doors. FOX 9 has tracked the campaign for mandatory security systems, and a Minnesota House summary of new laws notes that, starting July 1, 2026, licensed child‑care facilities tied to maltreatment investigations will be required to maintain video surveillance in public and shared spaces. Supporters say those rules are meant to give parents and investigators clearer evidence when something goes wrong.
What parents should know
The Bloomington case remains an active investigation, and any additional or amended charges will be handled by prosecutors and the courts. Officials have not released the family’s address or other identifying details about the children, and the accused au pair is entitled to legal counsel as the case moves forward. Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact Bloomington police or the appropriate child‑welfare agency.
