MINNEAPOLIS — Two moms — Tessa Donovan and Jessie Kraemer — describe the horrible mix of feelings they've been going through since learning Eric Allen, a former worker at their children's daycare, is now charged with child pornography.
"As a parent that just makes me sick to my stomach to think we entrusted our faith and trust into, into making sure and hoping that our kids were in safe hands," Donovan said.
"And so we're just trying to pull together as a community and see what we can do to prevent this in the future," Kraemer said.
Allen's alleged crimes were committed while he worked at Mount Carmel Child Care Center. Donovan and Kraemer's kids went to Northeast Child Development Center where Allen worked before that.
They're relieved, so far, no victims from their daycare have been discovered. But they're angry to learn Minneapolis police received at least five child pornography cybertips between 2021 and 2023 that MPD did not investigate, citing a lack of staffing.
"All you would have to do is Google his name and you can see his LinkedIn profile that shows he's actively working in childcare and has for the past 15 years. Children are a vulnerable population. I don't understand why the MPD didn't act on that tip or didn't escalate it to supporting partners," Donovan said.
These two moms believe if those tips had been investigated starting in 2021, it could have prevented Minneapolis children at a local daycare from being abused this year.
Most of all, they want other parents whose children were in Allen's care to contact the BCA if they have any useful information. The BCA's tip line at 651-793-7000.
MPD Chief Brian O'Hara responded in a statement: “It’s no secret MPD is extremely understaffed. I have repeatedly said we have half the number of investigators that we had prior to 2020, and the investigators that we do have are solving more cases— but dealing with much higher caseloads. I’m grateful that our law enforcement partners are always willing to assist us, and, in this case, the BCA’s technical expertise was invaluable. I am encouraged by the recruitment trend we are currently experiencing and am confident that 2024 will see a net increase of sworn personnel. That is very positive news as we continue to prioritize hiring and address a very serious issue that will take years to fix.”