Judge Dismisses Failure to Report Charge in Jamestown Case

A judge in Southeast District Court on November 19, 2025 granted the state motion to dismiss a Class B misdemeanor count against a Jamestown woman who had been accused of failing to report a suspected sexual assault involving a 4 year old child at a local childcare facility. Court documents summarized by the prosecutor's office formed the basis of the motion, and the dismissal removes the potential criminal consequences that were originally tied to the filing.

The charge in question was a Class B misdemeanor under state law, and court filings noted the potential penalties tied to that original charge. In connection with the same matter, the owner of the childcare facility entered into a deferred prosecution agreement, as laid out in court records. That agreement keeps a separate criminal case from proceeding immediately while the owner complies with conditions set by the state. Together, the dismissal and the deferred prosecution agreement resolve the pending criminal exposure for both the individual defendant and the facility owner without a trial on the underlying allegation.

Court documents also describe the alleged incident and provide a timeline of reporting to authorities, which prosecutors reviewed in deciding how to proceed. The filings outline when the suspected assault involving the 4 year old was reported to the childcare provider and to law enforcement, and why the state ultimately sought dismissal of the misdemeanor against the Jamestown woman. Details in the court record framed the state action and the negotiated resolution with the facility owner under the deferred prosecution arrangement.

For local families and the network of childcare providers in Stutsman County, the case highlights the responsibilities and consequences tied to reporting suspected abuse and the practical challenges of responding to allegations. Parents are likely to watch how the deferred prosecution agreement affects ongoing operations and perceptions of safety at the facility involved. Providers may face increased pressure to review internal protocols, reporting timelines, and training for staff to reassure families and regulators.

From a policy perspective, the outcome underscores the balance prosecutors and courts strike between pursuing criminal charges and using alternative enforcement tools such as deferred prosecution to address compliance and remediation. For the local childcare market, public confidence is a key driver of enrollment and revenue, and any erosion of trust can impose economic costs on operators who must invest in additional safeguards and community outreach.

The Southeast District Court handled the matter and the records provide the official account of the state's decision on the criminal filings. Residents seeking more information can review court filings for the full timeline and the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement as they relate to oversight and potential future compliance actions.