North Dakota day care provider admits to killing 5-month-old child

Patricia Wick faces life in prison for the death of Reed Nelson

Carrington, North Dakota (trfnews.i234.me) – In a shocking turn of events, Patricia Ann Wick, a 49-year-old daycare provider from Jamestown, has admitted to the killing of a 5-month-old baby just weeks before her trial. Wick pleaded guilty on Friday afternoon, January 12, in Foster County District Court to charges of murder, child abuse, and operating a family child care home without a license. As a result of her guilty plea, her trial, which was originally scheduled to commence on January 29, has been canceled.

The grim incident dates back to September 2022 when authorities responded to Wick’s home and daycare center in Carrington, located at 438 Second St. S., following a report of an unresponsive infant. Tragically, the baby, identified as 5-month-old Reed Nelson, passed away two days later at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo.

An autopsy revealed that Reed died due to blunt force trauma to the head and neck, leading to the classification of his death as a homicide, as stated in court documents. Furthermore, prosecutors have also accused Wick of breaking another child’s arm in September 2022, during which she was caring for up to nine children, two of whom were under 2 years old, without a valid license.

As a potential consequence of her actions, Patricia Ann Wick faces the possibility of a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole. Judge James Hovey has ordered her participation in a presentence investigation to aid in determining an appropriate punishment. Currently, a sentencing date has not been immediately scheduled for this harrowing case.

The admission of guilt by the daycare provider has sent shockwaves through the community and raised important questions about child safety and the regulation of childcare facilities.

Published January 13, 2024

By TRF News

Categorized as Crime

Tagged admits, baby, care, crime, dakota, day, killing, north, provider

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