Since December 2024, authorities have been investigating an incident involving a child’s ingestion of a controlled substance in our community. The South St. Paul Police Department’s preliminary findings related to this matter showed that earlier on the day of the incident, the child had been in the care of a licensed daycare operated by South St. Paul City Council Member Pam Bakken. To avoid a conflict of interest, the Lakeville Police Department was asked to conduct the investigation on behalf of the South St. Paul Police Department. Because this case involves a juvenile subject, state law restricts the information that can be made available to the public.
While the Lakeville Police Department conducted its investigation into this matter, the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) conducted a review of Council Member Bakken’s In-Home Daycare License. This investigation resulted in the indefinite order of suspension of Council Member Bakken’s Daycare License. Further inquiries related to the DHS investigation and Order of Suspension can be directed to the DHS Licensing Division at (651) 431-6500 or DHS.LicensingDivision@state.mn.us. The City of South St. Paul does not have licensing authority over any current or past daycare facility within the city.
The Lakeville Police Department concluded their investigation and forwarded their findings to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office to review for any potential criminal charges. County Attorney Kathryn Keena has released a statement regarding their review of the matter.
Due to the constraints of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, the City of South St. Paul is limited in the information it can share publicly about this matter under state law.
In response to those members of the community that have communicated a desire for the City or the City Council to compel action in the wake of this matter, it should be stated that no single member, nor any collective majority, of the City Council has the authority to remove another council member from elected office. City Staff certainly has no authority to remove an elected official from office. South St. Paul’s City Charter spells out specifically that a City Council seat may only be vacated under one of the following circumstances:
- Failure of the elected council member to qualify for the office on or before the first business day in January in the year subsequent to the election
- Death of the council member
- Resignation of the council member
- The council member ceasing to be a resident of the city
- Conviction of the council member of a felony either before or after qualification for office
- Removal of the council member from office
- A reason specified by law
We recognize the community’s desire for transparency and appreciate the public’s patience throughout this process. Now that the investigation has concluded, we would like to reaffirm our commitment to being clear, honest, and impartial in our communication about this sensitive – but ultimately private – matter. As such, we encourage the public to review the reports and pieces of information that, in accordance with State Law, are publicly accessible: