GRAND FORKS — A
former childcare provider accused of abusing a child who was under her care
waived her Monday, Dec. 2, preliminary hearing and, once arraigned, pleaded not guilty to her felony charge.
Jarae Arlouine Grad, 22, is charged with Class B felony child abuse of a child who is under the age of 6. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of the crime.
Grad’s alleged offense was reported to law enforcement on Oct. 18. An employee who said they witnessed Grad using excessive force to burp a young girl a few days prior began recording and caught the alleged abuse that ensued, according to an affidavit filed in the case.
Video footage showed Grad holding a young child, thrusting her up and away before violently pulling her back, then holding her up high and slamming her into the ground, the affidavit said.
When police spoke with Grad, she allegedly said she didn’t remember much about the event. Given more detail, she explained she’d been a little bit mad and frustrated and was trying to get the child to stop crying, according to the affidavit.
Grad is out on bond. Her next court appearance, a final dispositional conference, is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 27.
