DeKALB | Vandals struck the Child Development Laboratory behind Gabel Hall over the weekend, causing an estimated $3,000 in damage.

NIU Police Sgt. John Kreutziger said the incident occurred between 6 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Police said they estimate the odds of catching the perpetrators are low in cases such as this.

“Unless someone comes forward, finding the individuals who did this is very slim, unfortunately,” said Lt. Matthew Kiederlen.

Upon entering the facility Monday morning, staff members certainly were not expecting what they found.

“We came in initially and we thought that the wind had blown it over,” said Linda Anderson, associate director of the Child Development Laboratory. “However, when we noticed the damage, we realized that the wind couldn’t have done this.”

Kiederlen said police officials also had assumed wind caused the damage before closer inspection Monday morning.

“Someone took everything apart, which had to have taken quite a bit of time and effort,” Anderson said. “The smaller playhouses were tipped over and taken apart, and the picnic tables were unbolted.”

The perpetrators also attempted to dislodge a slide, but were unable to, as it was bolted into the ground.

“We are very upset that someone would come in and bother our things,” Anderson said. “The children aren’t able to play now, and they’re very sad about it.”

The Child Development Laboratory, which is a part of the School of Family, Consumer and Nutrition Sciences, is a day care center open to any children between the ages of six weeks and seven years. It serves as a research and training facility for childcare professionals.

Justin Weaver is the University Police beat reporter for the Northern Star.