Williston unlicensed daycare provider arrested in Montana for child abuse

Williston Police say a woman accused of severely injuring a 2-month-old baby in her care in November has been arrested in Montana.

Police say on Nov. 6, 2018 the parents of the baby dropped her off at the home of 23-year-old Corey Gardner, who was providing unlicensed daycare services. When the baby's parents picked her up from daycare, officers say the baby was unresponsive and had to be taken to a Bismarck hospital due to respiratory issues and seizures.

Court documents show the child was transferred to the Children's Critical Care Unit in Sioux Falls South Dakota, where staff determined the baby had sustained bone fractures, swelling of the skull, lack of oxygen to the brain, bleeding in her brain, ligament strains near her spine and retinal hemorrhages.

Police say Gardner told them the baby had a cold and was fussy, and while doing "tummy time" the baby started screaming. Gardner told police she put the baby down for a nap in her room and denied any accidental trauma.

Law enforcement officers say 10 days after the baby was injured, the Gardners broke their lease and left town.

Gardner has been charged with Class B felony child abuse.

Police say the child is recovering.