Day-care worker charged in infant's brain injury

By Holly Fleming

Published on April 06, 2006

The infant's injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome, which could lead to blindness and other developmental problems, according to Washington County prosecutor Jennifer Bovitz.

Gretchen Krueger, 34, of Grant, Minn. was charged Monday with first-degree assault, malicious punishment of a child, and child endangerment.

The charges state that on the afternoon of Feb. 14, Krueger called 911 to report that the boy was having problems breathing and was unresponsive. He was taken to Children's Hospital in St. Paul, and doctors found hemorrhages on both sides of the boy's brain and massive bleeding in his eyes. He is now out of the hospital and back home with his parents.

Several doctors told police investigators that the infant's injuries were probably caused by being shaken a few minutes before Krueger made the 911 call.

In interviews with police, Krueger's account of that day has been inconsistent, Bovitz said. Krueger had expressed frustration about the boy's troubles with eating and sleeping that day. Krueger has also said that no one else had been with him after his mother dropped him off earlier in the afternoon.

Krueger is not in custody and it is unclear when she will make a court appearance.

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