State lifts suspension of Savage daycare after infant death

4h Developing Twin Cities 1 source 4 relevant data

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families has lifted the license suspension on Rocking Horse Ranch, a Savage child-care center where 11‑month‑old Harvey Muklebust died last September and a 5‑month‑old girl suffered two medical incidents days apart. In a Wednesday order, the agency said a maltreatment investigation found there are no longer conditions posing an "imminent risk of harm" to children, and the center is now allowed to resume operations under state monitoring. Police previously charged former worker Theah Russell, 18, who allegedly admitted to choking both Harvey and the 5‑month‑old girl; she is no longer employed at the facility, and a manager has also left. Regulators noted that all staff had passed background checks, there were no prior documented issues with Russell, and they found "no apparent reason for the facility to know or suspect" she posed a threat before the September abuse. It remains unclear whether Rocking Horse Ranch will actually reopen, but for Twin Cities parents this decision underscores how the state weighs individual staff culpability versus systemic failures when deciding if a center can keep its license after a child dies.

📌 Key Facts

DCYF lifted Rocking Horse Ranch’s license suspension via order issued Wednesday, allowing operations to resume with state monitoring.
The case stems from the Sept. 22, 2025 death of 11‑month‑old Harvey Muklebust and two medical incidents involving a 5‑month‑old girl at the Savage center.
Former employee Theah Russell, 18, is charged and allegedly admitted to choking both infants; regulators say staff passed background checks and the facility had no prior indication she posed a threat.

📊 Relevant Data

In Minnesota, Black children are 2.4 times more likely than White children to be subjects of a child maltreatment report, 1.9 times more likely to have a report screened in for investigation, 1.8 times more likely to be determined victims of maltreatment, and 1.6 times more likely to be placed in foster care.

Racial disparities in child protection prompt Minnesota legislation, federal complaint — Star Tribune

Nationally, Black children suffer fatalities from abuse and neglect at three times the rate of White children.

Racial Disparities and Child Protection — Quillette

Reports of abuse and neglect at Minnesota daycares have been trending upward, with records detailing cases throughout the state as of November 2025.

Abuse and neglect reports at Minnesota daycares trending upward, records reveal — FOX 9

In Minnesota, 61% of children who experienced maltreatment experienced neglect, and 23% experienced physical abuse.

Child Abuse in Minnesota — FamilyWise