Eagan Day Care Provider Charged in Death of 3-Month-Old Boy

A 64-year-old Eagan woman has been charged in connection with the death of a 3-month-old boy who was at her home day care.

According to County Attorney James Backstrom, Beverly Greenagel was charged with two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, and one count each of Endangerment of a Child, Neglect of a Child, and Interference with a Death Scene.

The boy, Dane Ableindinger, died Aug. 18, 2011 while in Greenagel's care at her home.

According to Backstrom, Greenagel put the boy down for a nap that afternoon. A 12-year-old, who was also in Greenagel's care, later noticed the boy was on his stomach, not breathing.

Emergency crews were called to the home, but they were unable to resuscitate the boy, and he was pronounced dead.

According to a criminal complaint, Greenagel initially told police she had put Dane down for a nap in the crib on his back. She later changed her story and said she had put Dane down for a nap on the floor on top of a blanket.

Greenagel was licensed to care for 12 children, without a second caregiver. She was the only caregiver the day of Dane's death, and was watching 20 children. Her day care license was suspended after Dane's death, and was later revoked.

The Dakota County Medical Examiner said since the boy was found lying face down on the blanket, his death was the result of "probable positional asphyxia."

Greenagel's bail was set at $75,000 without conditions or $10,000 with conditions. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 6 in Hastings.