Authorities not commenting on case involving recent death of child at Watertown daycare

July 29, 2021
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–A Watertown woman arrested in connection with the death of a 16 month old child at a local daycare is no longer in jail, but the status of criminal charges against her are unknown.

Thirty year-old Amanda Walder of Watertown was arrested for Abuse or Cruelty to a Minor Less Than Seven Years Old after an unconcious child at an in-home daycare died on July 14th.

Watertown police, in a news release issued July 15th, said the child had injuries, “consistent with abuse” after it was taken to Prairie Lakes Hospital.

The child was later transferred to Sanford Health in Sioux Falls where it died.

KWAT News reached out to Codington County State’s Attorney Rebecca Morlock-Reeves for a status update on the case. She said it was being handled by the South Dakota’s Attorney General’s Office.

KWAT News then reached out to Tim Bormann, the attorney general’s chief of staff.

In an e-mail to KWAT News, Bormann said, “as you know, our offices do not comment on any ongoing investigation, nor litigation. As such, we will not be coming out with any releases regarding the Walder situation at this time.”

Watertown police and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation have been conducting a joint investigation of this case.

KWAT News will provide updated information as it becomes available.