A woman who ran an Inver Grove Heights day-care center was found guilty Monday of failing to report abuse of a child in her home, which day-care providers are obligated to do under state law.

Deborah M. Schneider, 43, knew of the sexual abuse that her husband, Christopher J. Schneider, committed against the child, who was one month shy of 3, but begged the girl's mother not to tell police, documents in Dakota County District Court say.

A criminal complaint says the girl's grandmother learned from the tot in August 2008 that Christopher Schneider may have engaged in sexual misconduct with her. Christopher Schneider had been assisting his wife with day care while he was unemployed.

The child's mother called Deborah Schneider and told her what the child had said. The complaint said Deborah Schneider told the mother, "Please don't report this! This is my only source of income."

Deborah Schneider failed to immediately contact the local welfare agency, police or sheriff's office with the information from the girl's mother, as required by law, the court found. Sentencing will be on April 30 on the misdemeanor charge.

Christopher Schneider was sentenced to jail and probation on Feb. 27 for sexually abusing the child.

JOY POWELL