Former Sioux Falls Daycare Worker Sentenced to Prison for Child Abuse

A former daycare worker in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of child abuse. Chelsea Struss, a former employee at NXTGen Kidz daycare center, accepted a plea deal in February 2026 and was formally sentenced by a Minnehaha County judge on Wednesday, April 23, 2026.

According to court records and local news reports, Struss was originally charged with 18 counts of child abuse related to incidents involving infants under her care in April 2025. Surveillance footage from the facility showed her pushing, hitting, dropping and yanking 1-year-old children during nap time. The video evidence, which lasted approximately 10 minutes, was presented to authorities after a concerned parent reported the abuse.

As part of the plea agreement, Struss pleaded guilty to three counts of abuse or cruelty to a minor younger than 7. The judge sentenced her to a total of 25 years in prison, with 21 years suspended. She will serve the remaining four years behind bars and has received credit for 168 days of time served since her arrest in April 2025.

The NXTGen Kidz daycare facility, located at 3300 W. 49th St. In Sioux Falls, has since closed following the investigation and Struss’s arrest.

Case Details and Legal Proceedings

Struss was first arrested on April 17, 2025, and booked into the Minnehaha County Jail on initial charges of abuse or cruelty to a minor under 7. Additional charges were filed later, bringing the total to 18 counts. After initially pleading not guilty to all charges, she changed her plea to guilty on three counts on February 9, 2026.

The plea deal allowed her to avoid trial on the remaining 15 counts. Court documents confirm that the admitted abuse included dropping a child face-first onto a mat, aggressively yanking a child by the armpit, and striking multiple children on the back of the head to force them to lie down.

Impact and Community Response

The case drew significant attention in the Sioux Falls community after video evidence of the abuse was shared with parents and local authorities. Both Dakota News Now and KELOLAND News covered the sentencing, emphasizing the breach of trust involved in childcare settings and the importance of oversight in early childhood facilities.

While the daycare center is no longer operating, the case has prompted discussions about background checks, surveillance in childcare environments, and mandatory reporting protocols for suspected abuse.

Key Takeaways

• Chelsea Struss, a former Sioux Falls daycare worker, was sentenced to 25 years in prison with 21 suspended for pleading guilty to three counts of child abuse.
• She will serve four years in prison and has received credit for 168 days already served.
• The abuse involved infants under 1 year old and was captured on surveillance video at the NXTGen Kidz facility in April 2025.
• Struss pleaded guilty in February 2026 as part of a deal that reduced her original 18 charges.
• The daycare center has since closed following the investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Chelsea Struss charged with?

She was originally charged with 18 counts of child abuse but pleaded guilty to three counts of abuse or cruelty to a minor younger than 7 as part of a plea deal.

How long will she serve in prison?

Struss was sentenced to 25 years total, with 21 years suspended. She will serve four years in prison and has credit for 168 days of time served.

When did the abuse occur?

The incidents took place on April 15, 2025, at the NXTGen Kidz daycare center in Sioux Falls, as documented in an affidavit and supported by surveillance footage.

Is the daycare center still open?

No. The NXTGen Kidz facility located at 3300 W. 49th St. In Sioux Falls has closed following the investigation and Struss’s arrest.