Fargo police investigation into injured infant leads to convictions connected to daycare child neglect and drug offenses
Fargo, North Dakota – A lengthy investigation that began with a seriously injured infant has resulted in criminal convictions for two caregivers after authorities uncovered years of alleged child neglect, unreported injuries, unsafe conditions, and illegal drug activity inside a Fargo daycare.
According to the Fargo Police Department, the case centered on Cara’s Cozy Heart Daycare, which was operated by Cara Aus and Joshua Aus. What initially appeared to be an investigation into a single injury eventually expanded into a two-year effort involving multiple agencies, medical professionals, forensic experts, and child welfare officials.
The investigation started in April 2024 after a 2-month-old infant was taken to a local emergency room with a severe fracture to one arm.
Medical professionals determined that the injury was non-accidental, immediately raising concerns that the child had been abused. Fargo police detectives quickly began working alongside Child Protective Services and North Dakota Child Care Licensing to examine what had happened, interview those responsible for caring for the infant, and determine whether other children at the daycare were also at risk.
Because investigators identified serious safety concerns during the early stages of the case, the daycare’s operating license was suspended soon afterward.
Investigation revealed pattern of injuries and unsafe conditions
As detectives continued reviewing the daycare’s history, they discovered evidence suggesting that the injured infant was not an isolated case.
Investigators found multiple incidents involving children who had attended the daycare over previous years that allegedly had never been reported to authorities, despite legal reporting requirements.
Among the injuries identified during the investigation were a broken clavicle, nursemaid’s elbow, unexplained bruises, and several other injuries involving children.
Medical specialists working on the case also found additional concerning medical evidence involving the infant whose injury first triggered the investigation. Those findings further supported the conclusion that abuse had occurred.
Authorities also examined statements provided by Cara and Joshua Aus regarding how the infant had been cared for before the injury.
According to investigators, those explanations were inconsistent with one another. Detectives also carried out digital forensic examinations of text messages, which they said contradicted the caregivers’ descriptions of what had happened.
As the investigation widened, officers obtained multiple search warrants.
Evidence collected during those searches led investigators to conclude that illegal narcotics activity had been taking place inside the home while children were present for daycare services.
Police said digital evidence, witness interviews, and physical evidence pointed to significant drug distribution activity occurring in the residence while it was operating as a childcare facility.
Witnesses interviewed during the investigation also described unsafe living conditions and concerning behavior inside the home that, according to investigators, placed children at additional risk.
The case continued to grow in 2025 when another individual who had previously attended the daycare came forward.
That former daycare child reported experiencing physical punishment by the caregivers. Investigators said the report provided additional support for the case and ensured another alleged victim’s experience became part of the overall investigation.
Charges and guilty pleas followed lengthy investigation
The investigation ultimately lasted more than two years and involved patrol officers, detectives, forensic examiners, medical professionals from the Sanford CARE Clinic, Child Protective Services, and North Dakota Child Care Licensing.
Authorities said the combined work of those agencies created a detailed picture of unsafe childcare conditions, repeated unreported injuries, and criminal activity inside the daycare.
The investigation eventually resulted in criminal charges against both Cara and Joshua Aus.
Joshua Aus later pleaded guilty to Child Neglect and two counts of Drug Possession. He was sentenced to 360 days in jail, with one day to serve while the remainder of the sentence was suspended. He also received 18 months of supervised probation.
Cara Aus later pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Deliver Cocaine, Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Opiate), and Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance (Depressant).
As part of her plea agreement, the Child Neglect charges against her were dismissed.
On Monday, July 13, she was sentenced to five years in prison, with 18 months to serve and the remainder suspended. After completing the active portion of her sentence, she will also serve two years of supervised probation.
Following the conclusion of the case, the Fargo Police Department praised the work of everyone involved in the investigation.
“This case is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of Fargo Police detectives, the Cass County Drug Task Force and the many partner agencies that spent more than two years investigating every aspect of this case. Through countless interviews, search warrants, forensic examinations, medical evaluations and careful analysis of digital evidence, investigators built a comprehensive case that uncovered unsafe conditions, documented the harm done to multiple children and brought the facts of this case to light. The Fargo Police Department remains committed to child safety, accountability and transparency, and we are grateful to the families and partner agencies whose collaboration was instrumental throughout this investigation.”
