Inset left to right: Cara Aus and Joshua Aus (Cass County Jail). Background: The home daycare where drugs were sold in Fargo, N.D. (Google Maps).
A North Dakota husband and wife will be spending varying amounts of time behind bars for operating an illicit drug business out of their home daycare – allegedly with children present.
Earlier this month, Cara Aus, 43, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver cocaine, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, and possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, according to a press release issued by the Fargo Police Department.
She was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison, with 18 months to serve and the remainder suspended, followed by two years of supervised probation, according to law enforcement.
Joshua Aus, 43, pleaded guilty to one count of child neglect and two counts of drug possession.
He was sentenced to 360 days in jail, with one day to serve and the remainder suspended, along with 18 months of supervised probation.
The investigation in the case dates back to April 2024, when a 2-month-old infant was brought to an emergency room in Fargo with what police termed “a significant arm fracture.”
“Medical professionals determined the injury was non-accidental,” police said. “Because of the serious concerns identified during the initial investigation, the daycare’s license was suspended.”
As the multiple-agency investigation continued, detectives discovered evidence “of a troubling pattern of unreported injuries” afflicting children who had attended the daycare in previous years, police said.
“Those injuries included a broken clavicle, nursemaid’s elbow, unexplained bruising and other injuries that were never reported to authorities as required by law,” the department said. “Medical specialists also identified additional concerning findings involving the infant victim that further supported the determination that abuse had occurred.”
As the couple was interviewed by investigators, they provided statements “regarding how the infant was handled before the injury” that were said to be “inconsistent.” Law enforcement said digital forensic analysis of text messages “further contradicted those accounts.”
At some point, a man who lived with the Aus family for nine months made contact with detectives and alleged the couple sold large amounts of drugs out of their home, according to local radio station KFGO. The couple even weighed out drugs with children present, the man alleged.
In time, police verified the witness’s claim.
“[D]etectives executed multiple search warrants and uncovered evidence of ongoing narcotics activity occurring inside the home while the daycare was operating,” the press release goes on. “Digital evidence, witness interviews and physical evidence confirmed significant drug distribution activity in an environment where children were present.”
Cara Aus was adamant about her innocence during the eventual raid.
“I don’t know what you guys think, go ahead look, you guys have this all wrong,” she told investigators when they served the search warrant, according to court documents obtained by local NBC affiliate KVLY.
Then, in 2025, a child who previously attended the daycare came forward to allege “physical punishment” by the couple.
“That report provided additional corroboration and ensured another victim’s experience became part of the investigation,” police said.
As part of the plea agreement, child neglect charges against Cara Aus were dismissed.
