The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families has suspended the license of Rocking Horse Ranch Childcare in Savage after two children suffered medical emergencies and one of them died. Officials issued the order halting all childcare operations after determining that children in the program are at an “imminent risk of harm.”
Meanwhile, Savage Police issued a statement urging families whose children were enrolled at the facility to monitor them closely and “seek immediate medical attention if they exhibit altered mental status, unusual behavioral changes, or other concerning symptoms.” An investigation is underway.
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What Happened at Rocking Horse Ranch?
On Friday, September 19, and Monday, September 22, emergency responders were called to the facility to aid an infant in significant respiratory distress. Tragically, the baby treated on Monday did not survive,
The specific cause of these medical emergencies is still under investigation.
Multiple Violations Found During Both Licensing Reviews This Year
Rocking Horse Ranch, located at 14859 Louisiana Ave S. in Savage, was founded in 1992. It employs 22 teaching and support staff who provide care for children ages 6 weeks to 10 years old. During a December 2024 licensing review, the facility was found to be in compliance. But during both reviews this year, multiple violations were found. Here is what inspectors cited:
Violations Cited in March 2025 Review
- Bathrooms weren’t clean
- Children did not have access to personal hygiene products
- Hazardous objects were accessible to children
- Indoor space did not meet the minimum square footage requirements
- Food did not comply with USDA requirements
- Products to control diaper rash were not properly labeled
Violations Cited in June 2025 Review
- Hazardous products were accessible to children
- Areas used by children were not in good repair
- Carpet or rugs were not in good repair and/or did not meet safety requirements
- Staff orientation training did not include all required items
Legal Rights of Families After a Daycare Injury or Death
When a child is seriously injured or dies in daycare, families have important legal rights and the ability to pursue justice through civil claims. In Minnesota, daycare providers are legally obligated to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of every child in their care. When that duty is breached, and a child suffers harm or dies as a result, the family may have grounds for a wrongful death or personal injury lawsuit.
In cases like the recent tragedy at Rocking Horse Ranch, families may be able to hold the facility and potentially individual staff members accountable.
Depending on the findings of the investigation, legal claims would likely focus on negligent supervision, but might also include:
- Unsafe sleep practices
- Failure to follow licensing regulations
- Delayed or improper emergency response
A civil lawsuit can provide families with compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, and the unimaginable pain of losing a child. But just as importantly, these legal actions can uncover the truth, expose systemic failures, and help prevent similar tragedies from happening to other children.
At Pritzker Hageman, our attorneys have experience representing families in complex daycare injury and wrongful death cases. We understand that no amount of legal action can help with the pain of losing a child, but we are here to bring families answers and justice and bring accountability to those whose negligence led to children being harmed.
If your child was harmed in a daycare setting, or if you’ve lost a child due to suspected negligence, we are here to help you understand your legal options and support you every step of the way. If you would like to talk to a lawyer about your case, please call 1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-0856, or fill out the form below.