Inset, left to right: Cara Aus and Joshua Aus (Cass County Jail). Background: The Fargo, N.D., home daycare where authorities say drugs were sold (Google Maps).
A North Dakota couple is headed to jail for different lengths of time after authorities said they ran an illegal drug operation from their home daycare, allegedly while children were in the house.
Cara Aus, 43, pleaded guilty earlier this month to 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 from the Fargo Police Department.
She received a five-year prison sentence, with 18 months to be served behind bars and the balance suspended. Police said she will also be placed on two years of supervised probation.
Her husband, 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 rest suspended, followed by 18 months of supervised probation.
The Fargo daycare investigation began in April 2024 after a 2-month-old baby was taken to a local emergency room with what police described as “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.
