Owner of Wildflower Academy accused of child abuse

SIOUX FALLS, SD (Dakota News Now) – The owner of a Sioux Falls daycare has been arrested for child abuse after allegedly hitting a child at the facility.

Ametra Christion faces one count of abuse or cruelty to a minor. She was arrested Wednesday and has since posted $5,000 bail and been released from jail.

Court documents show Child Protective Services received two reports of child abuse at Wildflower Academy Preschool in connection with the same incident.

Christion reportedly physically assaulted an 11-year-old boy on August 31, 2024.

Video obtained by Sioux Falls police shows Christion hitting the boy in the head with an open hand while his hands are raised in defense. Christion also pulled the boy’s hair as he tried to escape and continued to beat him.

Christion briefly lets go of the boy after another adult in the room appears to say something to her, but she grabs him again and raises her hand in a threatening manner before finally letting go of the child.

The witness told investigators that Christion scolded the child for “taking attention away from the birthday girl,” so they took the child home and told the parents what had happened.

During an interview with the investigating officer, Christion said the video was “fake” and denied pulling the victim’s hair.

Police spoke to the victim’s mother. She was unaware of these reports, and when she was shown video of the event, she began to cry.

Christion allegedly told both of the victim’s parents that there was no video of the incident.

Wildflower Academy remains temporarily suspended by the South Dakota Department of Human Services.

Christion’s first hearing is scheduled for November 14.