Tragic Incident: Infant Suffocates in Crowded Playard at Unlicensed Daycare, Police Report

A tragic incident in Minnesota has led to the arrest of a 53-year-old woman, Janel Kay Dierkhising, who allegedly operated an unlicensed day care. She faces charges of second-degree manslaughter following the death of a 2-month-old infant, Karson Asfeld, found lifeless in a “cluttered” portable playard.

The heartbreaking event unfolded in Sauk Centre, a town situated roughly 100 miles northwest of Minneapolis. On November 11, 2025, shortly before 2:30 p.m., officers from the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence on the 3000 block of County Road 186 in response to reports of a non-breathing child. Upon arrival, deputies encountered Dierkhising attempting CPR on the baby, who was subsequently rushed to a hospital but tragically pronounced dead.

Dierkhising recounted to authorities that she had been caring for young Karson and had laid him down for a nap in a portable playard. After some time without hearing a sound, she went to check on him and discovered him lying on his side with his face pressed into a blanket. Picking him up, she noticed a “wheezing sound” and that his lips had turned blue, prompting her to call 911 immediately.

The responding deputies observed marks on Karson’s face, suggesting he had been pressed against a surface, likely a blanket. The playard itself was described as “extremely cluttered,” containing a nursing pillow and two blankets. Importantly, several warnings on the playard caution against adding any mattress, pillow, or padding beyond the provided mattress pad, with the manufacturer explicitly warning that failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in death.

She realized Karson wasn’t breathing and called 911. Deputies noted a pattern on Karson’s face that indicated he was pushed up against another surface, possibly a blanket. The playard, deputies said, was “extremely cluttered” and contained a nursing pillow and two blankets. The playard has several warnings posted that caution people to “NEVER add a mattress, pillow, comforter, padding” and only to use the mattress pad provided by the manufacturer, the affidavit stated. Not following the recommendations could result in death, the manufacturer warned, according to the affidavit.

According to cops, an autopsy determined the boy died from “suffocation due to an unsafe sleep environment.”

Investigators spoke to Karson’s mother, who said her son was born healthy and she was paying Dierkhising $150 to watch the boy four days a week. Cops also interviewed parents of other children who said they had previously seen blankets in a portable playard. Parents had allegedly told Dierkhising that it was not an “acceptable way” for babies to sleep.

Dierkhising in an interview with deputies said she has been running the unlicensed day care out of her home for about 10 years. Deputies learned that Stearns County Human Services sent Dierkhising a letter about six years ago outlining scenarios in which she would be required to obtain a license to run a day care, cops say. The defendant allegedly responded to the letter saying she was disabled and not running a day care.

She was arrested on Monday and taken to the Stearns County Jail. She has since posted bond. If she’s convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison. Her next court date is set for May 11.

A GoFundMe account description explained that Karson’s mom, Nicole Asfeld, returned to work earlier than they wanted to because they needed to provide for their family.

“Nicole carried Karson for nine months, brought him into this world, and loved him with every part of her heart,” the description said. “She had just begun bonding with her little boy, learning his expressions, his cries, his warmth, and in a single moment, her entire world shattered. No mother should ever have to walk this painful path, especially so soon after giving birth.”