A Daycare Teacher Accused of Drunken Incident with a Child
A 21-year-old daycare teacher in Minnesota has been accused of allegedly slamming a child’s head into a wall while under the influence of alcohol. Aniya Keosongseng, who worked at Milestones Early Learning Center in Plymouth, was reportedly drunk during her lunch break on February 23. She has since been charged with gross misdemeanors, including endangering a child and interfering with a police officer. She has not yet entered a plea.
According to a complaint obtained by Law & Crime, a fellow daycare aide called the police after becoming concerned that Keosongseng was having a “panic attack.” When officers arrived, they found her slurring her words and stumbling, as reported in the document. Her blood alcohol level was recorded at .356, which is more than four times the legal limit, according to Fox9.
Surveillance footage reviewed by police showed Keosongseng picking up a child and then allegedly slamming the child’s head into a wall. As she tried to console the student, she lost balance and fell on top of the child, according to the report. 
Police also noticed Keosongseng “nodding off” while buttoning a child’s outfit. Fellow employees said that she had “deteriorated” throughout the day, as stated in the filing. When officers attempted to arrest her, she avoided them by pulling away and dropping to the floor. The report also alleged that Keosongseng bit an officer on the leg. She admitted to going home during her lunch hour to drink alcohol and was taken to the hospital.
Understanding the Risks of High Blood Alcohol Levels
The Cleveland Clinic states that dangerously high blood alcohol levels can be associated with alcohol poisoning, which can be life-threatening. This incident highlights the serious consequences of alcohol use in professional settings, especially when children are involved.
Milestones Early Learning Center confirmed that Keosongseng was fired immediately after the incident. In a statement, representatives said: “While we are proud of how our team handled the situation, we were deeply disappointed to learn the cause.” 
“The staff member was immediately terminated as there is a zero tolerance for alcohol or drug use.”
However, the daycare center disputed reports that Keosongseng “slammed” a child’s head or harmed a student in any way. Representatives added that they “did not observe any instance in which a child was injured or placed at risk due to the staff member’s actions.” They also mentioned that they would be following up with the police department to understand why their report suggests otherwise.
The Response from the Daycare Center
Detectives spoke with both the directors and families after completing their review. At that time, they communicated that no child was injured as a result of the staff member’s behavior, which is consistent with what the daycare observed in the video. 
Keosongseng was responsible for caring for children aged 12 months to 16 months. Her duties included feeding them, changing their diapers, and putting them down for naps. Employees said there had never been any prior issues with Keosongseng, and she underwent a robust background check before being hired.
According to their website, Milestones Early Learning Center provides a “safe, fun and nurturing environment for children of all ages.” Despite this, the incident has raised concerns about the safety and conduct of staff members in such environments.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
Keosongseng was released after being booked at Hennepin County Jail. Her first court appearance is scheduled for April 16. The Daily Mail contacted Milestones Early Learning Center, the Plymouth Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and Keosongseng for more information.
This case underscores the importance of strict policies regarding alcohol and drug use in childcare settings. It also raises questions about how such incidents are investigated and reported, as well as the steps taken to ensure the safety of children in care.
