Marissa Sitting Dog, Child Abuse, North Dakota 2013

A 25-year-old Fort Yates woman is facing serious charges after being indicted by a federal grand jury for child abuse and neglect.

Marissa Sitting Dog, 25, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes and pled not guilty to the indictment, which was handed down on June 12, 2013.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both; 3 years of supervised release and an additional 2 years of supervised release upon revocation. Restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund may also be ordered.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuting the case.

The charge is merely an accusation, and Sitting Dog is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Sitting Dog was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A trial date has not been set.

The indictment comes as a shock to the community, with many residents expressing concern for the welfare of children in the area. The case has sparked a heated debate about the need for increased support services for families in need.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation and to provide any necessary resources to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/north-dakota-woman-charged-child-abuse