No charges for South St. Paul council member after child ingests meth at day care

Authorities have decided not to file criminal charges against South St. Paul City Council member Pam Bakken after a 3-year-old child in her in-home daycare tested positive for methamphetamine. The Dakota County Attorney cited insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the child ingested meth while at Bakken's daycare, noting that the timing of the child's symptoms did not conclusively link the ingestion to her care. Investigators also found no evidence that Bakken knew meth was present in her home or that she intentionally or recklessly endangered the child's health. As a result of the incident, Bakken's daycare license has been suspended, though she is appealing the decision with a hearing scheduled for later this year. The case has sparked significant public reaction, with some community members calling for Bakken's resignation, but efforts to remove her from office have been suspended following the decision not to pursue charges.