Sioux Falls Daycare Death Investigation Produces Charges

It’s been five months since the death of a child at a Sioux Falls daycare. The signs point to a criminal case against the owner.

Sioux Falls Police issued a statement Tuesday afternoon (February 28) about the incident. Lt. Michael Colwill says that on September 23rd, 2016 the Sioux Falls Police Department began investigating an infant death that occurred at a city licensed daycare near Fernwood Drive and Alpine Avenue in southeast Sioux Falls.

On February 28th, 2017 as a result of that investigation a warrant has been issued for Jennifer Lyne Jonnes a 28 year old Sioux Falls resident. Jonnes was the owner and operator of the daycare that was responsible for the victims care at the time of the infant’s death.

Back in September, Officer Sam Clemens described a few of the initial details.

“(The provider) noticed a two-month-old boy was not breathing. She ended up calling emergency services who took the child to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. There were no obvious injuries to the boy.”

The warrant for Jonnes was issued for 1st degree Manslaughter, Abuse or Cruelty to a Minor, Contributing to the Abuse/Neglect of a Child, and False Report of Information to Law Enforcement. Jonnes’ daycare license with the City was initially suspended at the time of the incident and later revoked in December 2016.

More information will be provided at the March 1st 10:30 am media briefing.

See Also: