Conrad daycare provider under investigation for child abuse

Wolf Creek Child Care and Preschool Director Dana Brown is under investigation for child abuse after an incident earlier this week, according to the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office.
           
Chief Deputy Tim Wolthoff told The Grundy Register on Thursday that Deputy Kirk Dolleslager is conducting interviews with several families, and Dolleslager indicated that a determination on criminal charges could be made by next week. A local woman initially brought allegations to the sheriff’s office on July 5 of last year, claiming that her child had been verbally and physically abused at the center.
           
“When I was told that (Brown) drug my daughter across the floor because she wasn't walking fast enough, that's when I officially pulled her out (of the daycare),” Drue Huntley, the parent who first reported the incidents, said. “It just frustrates me that nobody did anything when I complained.”
           
Brown, a Gladbrook resident, took over as director of the center in November of 2013, and she has no prior criminal record. She allegedly grabbed a child by the shoulders in front of six other children on Monday and was placed on administrative leave Wednesday with an officer present.  
           
The future of the center itself was in limbo before Brown, who had previously been an employee, rejoined the staff, as flooding in the summer of 2013 caused thousands of dollars in damage, and a host of directors came and went in the process. The City of Conrad contributed $65,000 in Local Option Sales Tax funds to the facility, which is a private non-profit, in fiscal year 2017.
           
Wolf Creek Board of Directors President Julie Katzer declined to comment on the matter, and Brown did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 
 
UPDATE: As of Tuesday morning, Brown is no longer employed at the center, according to board member Kathryn Bartling. 
 
Check this week's Grundy Register for more details on the case. Subscribe by calling (319) 824-6958, or clicking here.