Former Rochester Childcare Worker Accepts Plea Deal in Abuse Case

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A week before her trial was scheduled to begin in Olmsted County court, a Rochester woman today filed a Petition to Plead Guilty to allegations involving the physical abuse of two infants at a Rochester childcare facility.

Abuse Reported at Rochester Childcare Center

A criminal complaint filed against 26-year-old Alexis Kemp last June charged her with two felony counts of malicious punishment of a child. The court document says the charges stemmed from an investigation by Rochester police into reports of child abuse by an employee of New Horizons Academy in northwest Rochester.

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Police Observed Bruising

The charges state that police were contacted by the parents of one of the young victims after they picked up their child on the afternoon of May 29, 2025, and were notified of an incident of child abuse. The responding officers indicated they observed bruising on the infant’s shoulder blades and back.

Photo by Andy Brownell-TSM Rochester

Caught on Video

According to the criminal complaint, a review of videos recorded by security cameras showed Kemp picking up an infant girl and slamming her face-down into a crib before forcibly striking the child’s back with an open hand. The court document says a video also shows Kemp forcing the baby’s head into a pillow while the child was lying face-down.

(Photo by Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The criminal complaint says police also discovered a second incident of abuse while reviewing the video recordings. The court document says Kemp was seen grabbing a one-year-old girl by the leg and pulling forcefully, which caused the child to twist, fall backward, and strike her head on the floor.

Overwhelmed by Crying Child

In a statement to police, the criminal complaint says Kemp told officers that she was overwhelmed by the victim’s crying at the time.

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Plea Deal

The court filing indicates Kemp has agreed to plead guilty to both felony charges. In exchange, the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office will recommend a sentence following state guidelines, and if the guidelines call for a jail sentence, the prosecution will recommend a maximum of 60 days behind bars.

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Gallery Credit: Carly Ross