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Woman charged with child abuse

 
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Aug 27, 2008 - 04:06:22 CDT
By JENNYMICHAEL
Bismarck Tribune
A Mandan woman faces an abuse or neglect of a child charge for allegedly slamming her daughter's head into a wall during an argument over the mother leaving daycare children in the daughter's care.

Billie Jo Berger, 32, was charged Tuesday with the Class Cfelony.

South CentralDistrict Judge SonnaAnderson set bond for Berger at $2,000 cash or surety and prohibited her from having contact with her two daughters.

Mandan Police Sgt. Jay Gruebele said Berger's 14-year-old daughter said Berger sent her 9-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old she watches in her day care to soccer practice with the 14-year-old on Monday. While the girl was at soccer practice, her mother also dropped off a 1-year-old who goes to her daycare.

When the girl returned home with the children after practice, her mother was gone, Gruebele said. He said Berger was at a bar, and the girl brought her home.

Once at home, they began arguing, so the 14-year-old went to her great-grandmother's house in Mandan, Gruebele said. He said Berger showed up at the great-grandmother's house and continued arguing with the girl.

The girl called 911 at 8:40 p.m. after Berger allegedly grabbed her by the throat and slammed her head against a wall multiple times, resulting in a lump on her head, Gruebele said.

Berger was arrested, and the 14-year-old and 9-year-old were left at the great-grandmother's house. The report will be sent to social services, Gruebele said.

He was unsure when the daycare children were taken from Berger's care.

Berger ran a small, in-home day care, he said.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@;bismarcktribune.com.)
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Woman charged with child abuse
Comments

enough wrote on Sep 4, 2008 12:39 PM:

" it is not social services job alone to protect children. Children are the responsibilty of family, community which includes churches. As a society we have turned our backs on family and left it up to state agencies to do the work. We need to share in helping not condemn. We are still a Christian country and need to realize what our responsibilty is to others. It is simply to easy to be Monday morning quaterbackers and point fingers. How about running a chance and offering to help out? How about becoming a mentor to a parent who does not have skills required to parent? How about takiing care of children so the parents can get a break? It is a different world today and we simply cannot say if you can't take care of children don't have them. As a parent there was no way that I could fully understand the responsibilty ti takes to raise children. No one does. That is why we need to help? Parents today are dealing with more problems than the babby boomers parents ever did. Lets unite and make our communities safe for families. Report, work with local laew enforcememt. Let your city council know how you feel about too many bars in your community. Reach out "

setting stones wrote on Sep 3, 2008 10:07 PM:

" Ms Berger was a young mother starting out. But maybe just maybe her upbringing from her own mother and father is all she knows. RIght or wrong how you were raised plays a big part of adulthood. Giving the bars priority over your own children and other peoples childrens welfare is unforgivable. She is passing on to her own children what she has learned herself. Now that is a shame in itself. And I am well aware of the escalation that can take place with a 14 year old but just maybe the situation would have had a better outcome if the mother was not under the influence. Funny she wants the young girl to drive her around to bars and makes sure she is not driving under the influence and then has to face charges of child abuse. Instead she should be greatful the young girl was keeping her mother out of trouble. My question is who is the parent and who is the child in this situation? "

Earn the name PARENT wrote on Sep 3, 2008 8:11 PM:

" Young mother of three, excuse me .........but if you produced these children , it is YOUR obligation to CARE for them OR give them to someone who would love to>> Since I have lived in Mandan, I have met some teens who are clearly NOT taken care of by anyone - these kids just want a place to go and get a hot meal and hang out with someone who actually will listen to them and care about them. I find it amazing how much crap is put up with in Mandan - TOO many bars, my gosh- how many bars does one town need in a 10 block radius?? People really need to look in the mirror and realize what they are doing to their children........ they are the ones that have to pay the price for parental stupidity! If you don't have any interest in being a parent.... don't have sex, don't get knocked up, put down the bottle, flush the drugs and ACT in a decent adult manner. We are not in high school anymore- we have children and need to take our responsibility more seriously. These children are OUR future ......... Please do not let this woman get ahold of that 14 year old again - she has done enough damage to the poor thing!! I hope she is well taken care of , and get them out of the mother's home as soon as possible ! Poor children, I feel sorry for all of them !! "

Daycare Mom wrote on Sep 3, 2008 10:40 AM:

" So does anyone know what has happened? Is she still doing Daycare? Yes, she could be if she was not licensed. There would be no one to enforce her staying closed, that's part of the whole problem. The people to worry about are the children of the people who do not check the providers out themselves. The people who do not check references. That's what licensing does, helps protect the CHILDREN, when their parents do not. Also just like in any other profession, there are going to be bad ones who slip through the cracks. It's just not as easy to be really bad if you are licensed. "

momofdefiants wrote on Sep 3, 2008 7:14 AM:

" I am a single mother of 3. When I looked for Daycare, I made sure to check references, check out the home where my children were going to be, talked with the possible provider for a good 2 hours or longer to get a feel of who they are and who may be coming or going. It not matter if they were liscensed or not as long as they would be good people for my kids to be around. Even with all of this, I ended up with a very unstable provider. I removed my children immediately, and then called Social Services, after all, they were the ones to give me her name. She was removed from their list. Get this she is now a probation officer. You all actually want the state to check these people out!!!! You really are much better off checking things out and following up on them yourselves. "

Daycare Mom wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:57 PM:

" Doing childcare for over 5 children in the state of ND, without a license is illegal. If you see this happening. Turn these people in to Social Services. There are plenty of people who are doing things the right way. The licensing procedures are not that tough, and the rules are a benefit to the children of North Dakota. "

To Daycare Mom wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:34 AM:

" The reason the unlicensed provider is not regulated is because they are unlicensed. That is the whole purpose of being unlicensed. If you are licensed the state will dictate everything from what the children can wat to how much and how often, not to mention the paperwork that being licensed intales. I think the over regulating is what keeps alot of providers unlicensed. I know a couple very good people who are providers and are not licensed for that reason. Why is it every time something bad like this happens, the state is the one who needs to clean it up ?? Mandan is a small community and if this lady has an problem with booze and hangs out at the bar alot you can't tell me that there are not alot of peolple who know this. As a parent myself, if I am taking my child to a daycare provider that is unlicensed (which to me tells me right away that social services and the state do not check on her) I will make sure myself that I am comfortable leaving my child with this person. The parents who use unlicensed providers have to take some of the responsibility in the welfare of thier child, and do thier own background check. "

reader wrote on Sep 2, 2008 1:04 AM:

" i can understand the concern for the children, the person who cares for them needs to address some issues in parenting skills. i can understand the need for a single mom to meet financial survival for her family. i can understand the need for daycare to work and meet financial survival for the working parents, single moms also. daycare providers are getting more strict regulations to follow with all the laws. some do it for the love of children, others are doing it and charging the max for the financial gain with rising childcare costs. some are being paid by the state. there is a difference in the initial concern for the innocent children being left for 8-10 hours. one point, a child of the daycare provider should not do the job, think of the possibilities where cpr and first aid are critical. just to go to the bar and go home with someone that was met in the bar. and still get paid. "

mandanfather wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:31 PM:

" To Biff Malibu,

Newspaper or no newspaper article, do you really believe that this womans' daycare operation is running business as usual these days? I believe that if a client were to have tried to drop their child off after the proprietor had been arrested, the daycare would have been CLOSED and clients notified of what had happened. Again, to my original point, this is a law enforcement and public protection responsibility, NOT the media. However, we can only hope they did their job.

My initial comment only was to bring attention to the unfortunate youngsters of this woman. First, they deal with an abusive mother (probably not for the first time), deal with the consequences of calling the police, i.e. run the risk of losing their home, etc, AND then go to school only to be pointed out, gossip-ed about, teased..... "

Summerbaby wrote on Sep 1, 2008 5:03 PM:

" While the fact that Ms. Berger decided to assault her daughter is truly a tragedy, this article should be a huge wake up call for all parents who entrust their children to daycare. After having a miserable experience with a LICENSED facility in Mandan, I am now fortunate enough to have wonderful daycare. However, my bad experience taught me that I alone am responsible for the daycare I choose. Parents must inspect a facility, interview the provider, talk to other parents, and check with the state before putting your children in anyone's care, Then, make a point of visiting the facility frequently and at odd times of day. I know it can be a pain to take off work early, or take a longer lunch, but show up when you aren't expected, and make sure you talk to your kids! This is the only way you can truly keep track of how your children are cared for. That hour of vacation time isn't time wasted...these are your children. "

To Just Wonder wrote on Aug 31, 2008 12:14 PM:

" When I spoke of the Goverment getting involved, another reason would be to make sure all these home daycares that are making money, are also paying their taxes and reporting the income they receive. Its like the waitress honor system for reporting the tips they make in my opinion. Report what you want too.
Dakota "

Biff Malibu wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:27 PM:

" well, mandanfather, I think the Tribune did a community service by reporting this story so that anyone looking for a daycare now knows not to go to this woman!! "

Mom wrote on Aug 30, 2008 2:54 PM:

" I love my children to infinity and beyond. They have always been the greatest part of my life. My oldest son passed away and my heart aches for him. I would give anything for us to be together again. When I hear about parents being cruel to their children it angers me. I only wish they knew how lucky they are to have their child. Life is so unfair. There are so many people in this world who would give anything to have a child. Then there are so many people who do have have children and waste the opportunity of being a loving parent. "

justwonder wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:17 AM:

" to dakota:
HELLO! Why does everyone always think its the government or some workers job to "inspect" these daycares. Don't get me wrong, I say inspect the carp out of them! Yeah, they MIGHT catch them on an off day if they get lucky BUT unless they are there every day "inspecting" they are going to miss what most PARENTS should be catching.
For all we know the parent of any of the children left in this "daycare" know that this woman has a problem. BUT of course getting to the job that pays is more important than where they leave their first job they chose... (the children).
Parents are in such a hurry to have the mom go back to work these days it seems people are dropping their kids off anywhere - sorry to those single parents who have no choice I am not including you in on this although you should be very careful where you leave your children as well - but I am talking the people who HAVE to have the new fancy house with the new vehicles and the new boat & other toys and all the other luxury additions to every day life.
If you are going to take your children to daycare at least take the time to talk with the provider to make sure they are in the right frame of mind every day - especially if your kids can't talk yet! It is more YOUR responsibility more than the governments to make sure your kids are safe, I think. I mean, did the gov tell you when to have kids?? "

dakota wrote on Aug 29, 2008 8:47 PM:

" oh, I forgot the goverment does mandate a furnace inspection for these daycares...l.o.l. "

dakota wrote on Aug 29, 2008 8:45 PM:

" the goverment is almost involved in every aspect of of our life, except in regards to regualtions and guidelines and inspections for our children.
I don't have any children,but what is the goverment and specical intrest groups doing as far as this goes? nothing...too busy passing anti-smoking laws "

To Rex wrote on Aug 29, 2008 6:20 PM:

" Say What!!! I'm so sure! What century are you living in? I'm a woman and I totaly disagree, all it takes is a good head on your shoulders. "

BJB wrote on Aug 29, 2008 4:22 PM:

" It seems to me no one knows how to parent anymore. The women in the story is the same age I am....I am embarrassed of my generation. "

mandanfather wrote on Aug 29, 2008 3:44 PM:

" To Online Editor....

I know where the article was located in the paper.....whether it's front page of section C or buried somewhere is section A or B, it is careless journalism and poor editor professionalism. "

REX wrote on Aug 29, 2008 3:27 PM:

" I don't believe for one minute that, that woman was anything but a Saint, She was probably victimized by a man. All men are evil and all women are pure. We need to be more aware of the needs of women and minorities. The failure is that of society not the individual. Shame on us all. Especially we men. "

upset mother wrote on Aug 29, 2008 11:40 AM:

" Mandanfather...Why? You cant put all the blame on the Tribune, you also have to blame the radio, both news stations and the paper. They like to expose people for there wrong doings, which honestly wouldnt you want to know if your sitter did something, cause I found out from the news I wasnt informed by the cops about the situation, and I had every right to know what was going on with my child. "

Online Editor wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:50 AM:

" To mandanfather: The story appeared on the bottom right corner of our Dakota page, that is the front of the C section. "

mandanfather wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:23 AM:

" I think we all agree that this is a sad and disturbing story. However, why did the Tribune deem it necessary to print it....and give it front page-type exposure?

Isn't it bad enough that these young girls had to experience this incident, but now they have to go back to school and face their peers....many brutally insensitive and immature.

Tribune, how do you justify this? "

map wrote on Aug 29, 2008 9:21 AM:

" To "Loving Mom": Young mother? Since when is 32 considered a young mom? She started young, she has a 14-year-old. Do the math. But that, and the fact that she is running a daycare, only proves that she should have her head on straight by now. Yes, she probably does need help. But I've had experience with bad daycares before. My 5month old recieved a broken arm from her provider. And getting that woman help was the least of my problems. It was the fear that although I removed my child from her care, what about her own 2 children? So my concern is with her children, not her getting help, because she won't do it unless she wants to anyways. And usually these are the kinds of people who aren't looking for it. "

justwonder wrote on Aug 29, 2008 8:50 AM:

" Hey people! I have an idea - How about the parents "check out" the daycare they are taking their children to, quit passing the buck. I sure as heck would think there were some signs that a parent should be able to pick up on dropping their kid off there every day, better than someone who comes every now and then to check the licensed place out when the provider is sober. I really think that is the parents job, just because you have a job to go to doesn't mean you should neglect your first job either - YOUR kid.

I really feel bad for this girl, something tells me its not going to get better but worse because I'm betting she is going to have to stay with the mom and I bet the mom isn't going to change. Negative outlook huh, well, seen to much of it and it seems to change so rarely. She'll probably just get it double now. I just hope the girl can stay safe and stay smart and call again if she has to! "

YOUR ALL NUTS wrote on Aug 29, 2008 8:44 AM:

" As sad as this is to say Child Neglect has been around for along time! As hard as it is - sometimes these kids rise above and become wonderful human beings! Social Services can not go into every house. Alcohol abuse has been around for along time as well- Baby boomers that have come from these homes are not all bad! Family dynamics makes us who we are. Sometimes it is the kids that struggle that rise the farthest BECAUSE they are not cottled to and spoiled rotten. Just something to think about as you rant about Social Services going into everyones homes to take child for whatever reason they want- As who knows 10 yrs from now they could feel you are neglecting your child by giving them everything to keep them out of your hair! Babyboomers how many of you farm raised kids would have been taken from your homes with todays rules? Would you really have wanted to be taken away FROM YOUR ONLY FAMILY? Would that have made your life better? Our are you happy with what you have become and love your parent unconditionally? Something to think about. "

Yes wrote on Aug 29, 2008 6:48 AM:

" Yes, Mark, you can get your license at 14. I have a few friends that have let their children do it (although I would never let my kids do it).

To Loving Mom Going Against the Grain: NOTHING, I repeat NOTHING should make a parent, or anyone else for that matter, smack up your child or bang their head against the wall, especially enough to make a bump on their head. I don't care if she was sassing back or yelling at her mother. There are other ways to discipline. "

mark wrote on Aug 28, 2008 2:26 PM:

" Can you have your drivers license in ND at 14? How is this girl getting everyone to soccer practice? (Hopefully with kids in car seats) and picking up her mom at the bar? Why would you want your 14 (who just got their license) to drive around a bunch of younger children. This is just not right. "

Online Editor wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:00 AM:

" To Upset mother: You present interesting information, but it cannot be posted be it isn't easily verifiable. "

ridiculous wrote on Aug 28, 2008 2:50 AM:

" Berger also claimed she was "just trying to talk to the daughter and cornered her against the wall". I don't think just trying to talk to someone results in a lump on your head!!! "

Daycare Mom wrote on Aug 27, 2008 10:24 PM:

" It's true that licensed or unlicensed, parents need to be checking these people out. Just as any other profession there are the good and the bad. To clarify though-certified daycare do not get checked in any way by social services other than a background check to see if they have child abuse charges. They just sign up and start. "

reality wrote on Aug 27, 2008 6:41 PM:

" Social Services licenses and regulates Licensed Providers, Certified providers are registered with Soc. Ser., and have less regulation. Any other informal arrangements are between parents and providers, and there is no government oversee of those situations. How could there be? How could they be aware of every arrangment every day? "

haze wrote on Aug 27, 2008 6:15 PM:

" The girl did a great job in taking care of those kids and in calling 911. Good for her. Hopefully she will be out of a bad situation and all will get help.

No matter if a daycare is licensed or not - the parents need to be diligent and check the person/place out thoroughly. Make a lot of drop in visits. Some places have webcams now so you can even check on your child during the day. "

Loving Mom going against the grain wrote on Aug 27, 2008 6:08 PM:

" As I read the comments prior to mine, I am saddend by the fact that the majority want to degrade the young mother of three. Yes, I agree there should be consequences for her out-of-control actions in regards of abusing her daughter; At the same time, I wonder if there is anyone out there willing to challenge her to seek help for a possible alcohol addiction. Sounds to me like she may even be a single mom trying to make ends meet. Times are tough for a lot of families right now and the community should be there to help one another. Whether she was licensed is irrelavent - credentials in that aspect mean absolutely nothing. Her 14 year old may have even been screaming obscenities, demonstrating no respect towards the mother-we have no details (again no excuse for the abuse). Bottom line: Let's get this young mother the help she needs and allow her to prove that she deserves another chance....shall we dig up everyone else's past??? "

Daycare Mom wrote on Aug 27, 2008 5:37 PM:

" I'm not saying all unlicensed daycares are bad-just unregulated. So if you take your child to an unlicensed daycare, NO ONE is checking to see that things are done right. No One is making sure they are clean, safe, have had a fire inspection, that the provider has had any training, that they have had background checks. It's all up to the parent in an unlicensed situation. I for one like my odds better with a checks and balances system. "

Unreal wrote on Aug 27, 2008 3:49 PM:

" This is not just about a daycare provider, Many many children are being neglected and abused and social services need's to do the job they are getting paid to do. I know first hand, A lady and her boyfriend lost custody of their daughter due to neglect and abuse and they since have had another child and are moving from place to place with no permenent address and both are in and out of jail. They lost custody of their daughter and turned around and had another baby and now this infant is living in the same situation that the little girl was saved from.The Bis/Man. police act as if it is no big deal and social services wont do anything to make sure this new baby is being treated right, Even though they have seen the filth and the way the baby is not bathed and has a bottle propped in it's mouth while the parents are in court. When is something going to be done??? "

Certified Daycare Provider wrote on Aug 27, 2008 3:18 PM:

" I am an unlicensed daycare provider in Mandan. I am certified. This simply means everyone in my household over the age of 16 have a criminal background check done. There are many excellent certified providers in the area.
To Daycare mom: Not all unlicensed daycares give substandard cheap care. I am on the food program and follow the exact same rules as if I were licensed. I am CPR/First aid certified. My rates are not cheap either. The daycare parents do not care that I am unlicensed either. It wouldn't change the way I do things around here. Please realize not all of us certified providers are bad. "

Daycare Mom wrote on Aug 27, 2008 2:45 PM:

" Social Services is out there checking on the Providers who care enough to get licensed, the thing is many people who know they don't care enough to live up to the rules set up by Social Services, just don't bother to get licensed, and the people bring their children to them anyway. Often it's about money, the unlicensed providers will do substandard care cheap. Parents need to make sure their Provider is licensed! "

AKD wrote on Aug 27, 2008 1:35 PM:

" How in God's name did that woman get a child-care license to begin with? There is a serious problem with the early childhood education "programming" - or lack thereof - in this country when nobody is checking to make sure the childcare provider doesn't abandon her charges to go to the bar. Perhaps when our country's leaders start caring about our children - the country's future - we will put more money into early childhood services like child development and preschool - educating children to someday have a good job and be an positive influence on our society. Obama or McCain - I hope you're listening, because the kids who aren't getting the services they need at a young age are going to be the same adults who won't have the means to finance your retirement via Social Security or the presidential retirement fund. To the 14-year-old daughter: way to be grown up, girl, you definitely need more positive influences in your life. And to whoever's listening - would somebody from social services make sure the abuser doesn't get a license to run a childcare again - please? "

Daycare Mom wrote on Aug 27, 2008 12:47 PM:

" Does anyone know if she was a licensed Daycare Provider? "

Momof wrote on Aug 27, 2008 12:37 PM:

" Sad story, maybe someone should give her the same treatment and see how she likes it. What a sorry case for a "mother". Poor 14 year old girl, hope she is doing well. "

Mike R wrote on Aug 27, 2008 12:27 PM:

" A few years ago, a home daycare provider beat an infant with a wooden spoon and then scalded him in hot water because he wouldn't eat what she had prepared for him. There has to be a way to weed these unstable people out before they are allowed to be in charge of other people's children. Unlicensed daycare providers are popping up everywhere, with no oversight by any agency at all. Until someone reigns them in, we will continue to hear stories like this. "

Rebecca wrote on Aug 27, 2008 12:02 PM:

" It sounds like she has a pretty responsible 14 year old daughter; to take care of the kids, pick her up from the bar, and take the children to a safe place when things escalated at home. Though I don't know the situation, it sounds like the mother may have a problem with alcohol and needs some kind of help to cope. Very sad. "

WOW wrote on Aug 27, 2008 10:12 AM:

" She won't be running a home day care any longer. What is wrong with those people? "

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