Charges Dropped Against Aberdeen Daycare Owner

Employee Takes Plea in Separate Incident

Mar. 25, 2026 at 4:53pm

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Charges against the owner of an Aberdeen, South Dakota daycare, Krista Lynn Smith, have been dropped. Smith was previously arrested and charged with failure to make a required report as a mandatory reporter in December. However, court documents show those charges are no longer being pursued. One of Smith's employees, Kourtney Anderson, was arrested in January for a separate incident that occurred in March 2025. Anderson has since pleaded guilty in that case and received a suspended imposition.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex legal issues that can arise in the operation of a daycare facility, where owners and employees have specific reporting requirements and responsibilities. The dropping of charges against the daycare owner and the plea deal for the employee raise questions about accountability and oversight in the childcare industry.

The details

Krista Lynn Smith, the owner of an Aberdeen daycare, was arrested and charged in December with failure to make a required report as a mandatory reporter. However, court documents now show those charges against her have been dropped. Meanwhile, one of Smith's employees, Kourtney Anderson, was arrested in January for a separate incident that occurred in March 2025. Anderson has since pleaded guilty in that case and received a suspended imposition of sentence.

  • Krista Lynn Smith was arrested and charged in December.
  • Kourtney Anderson was arrested in January for an incident in March 2025.
  • Anderson has since pleaded guilty and received a suspended imposition.

The players

Krista Lynn Smith

The owner of an Aberdeen, South Dakota daycare whose charges have been dropped.

Kourtney Anderson

An employee of the Aberdeen daycare who pleaded guilty to a separate incident and received a suspended imposition.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal and regulatory environment that daycare owners and employees must navigate, with specific reporting requirements and responsibilities. The dropping of charges against the owner and the plea deal for the employee raise questions about accountability and oversight in the childcare industry.