Home / Crime and Justice / Daycare Owners Charged with Child Abuse, Facility Shut Down
Daycare Owners Charged with Child Abuse, Facility Shut Down
15 Nov
Summary
- Two daycare workers face felony child abuse charges
- Accused of physically and mentally abusing children in their care
- Daycare facility shut down after investigation uncovered abuse
On November 15, 2025, two Jamestown, North Dakota daycare owners were charged with felony child abuse for incidents that allegedly occurred at their facility, Buffalo City Lil' Explorers Daycare. Karen "Kay" Lynn Schempp, the 42-year-old owner, and Kaylee Lynn Cumber, a 33-year-old employee, each face two counts of child abuse, which are Class B felonies.
The charges stem from an investigation that began on April 23, 2025, when a Jamestown police officer was assigned to look into a child abuse and neglect case. The investigation uncovered disturbing allegations, including that Schempp and Cumber physically and mentally abused children in their care, such as hitting a child in the mouth and force-feeding them. They also allegedly gave children melatonin without parental consent to make them sleep during nap time.
On April 25, 2025, a licensing inspection was conducted at the daycare, and a search warrant was executed to seize the video surveillance system. The footage reportedly showed incidents of abuse, children being left unsupervised, and other inappropriate behavior by Schempp and Cumber. As a result, the daycare was shut down, and Schempp voluntarily surrendered her license.
Schempp and Cumber are scheduled to make their initial court appearances on December 3, 2025. If convicted, they face up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine for each count of child abuse.
