Kansas day care owner arrested after girl’s leg partially severed by lawn mower

WICHITA – A day care provider was arrested after an 18-month-old girl in her care was seriously injured when she was run over a lawn mower.

Police say the girl’s leg was partially severed below the knee in Thursday’s accident. Wichita police Lt. Chris Bannister said the girl was in critical condition.

Bannister says two 1-year-olds and three 3-year-olds were playing in the backyard as the grass was being mowed. He says it was not clear how the girl was hurt.

The 39-year-old day care provider was booked into Sedgwick County Jail on suspicion of one count of aggravated child endangerment. The longtime day care provider has not been formally charged.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment suspended the day care’s operating license after the accident.

This story was originally published August 22, 2014 at 7:13 AM with the headline "Kansas day care owner arrested after girl’s leg partially severed by lawn mower."