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Pine Ridge Couple Jailed for Suffocating 5-Month-Old Son
A horrifying incident on Pine Ridge, South Dakota, has resulted in a devastating verdict for a young couple. Whitnee Eagle, 25, and Abraham Silas Red Cloud, 31, have been sentenced to nine months’ custody for the suffocation of their five-month-old son.
On June 26, 2012, Eagle and Red Cloud had been drinking large quantities of alcohol. In a tragic turn of events, they rolled over on their infant son, who was sleeping in the same bed, suffocating him. The incident led to the indictment of the couple by a federal grand jury on July 24, 2012, for Felony Child Abuse and Neglect and Involuntary Manslaughter.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.
Eagle and Red Cloud eventually pleaded guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter on March 12 and 13, 2013, respectively. Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court, handed down the sentence of nine months’ custody, three years of supervised release, and ordered the couple to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves throughout the community, highlighting the devastating consequences of drinking and driving and neglecting one’s responsibility as a parent. As the community mourns the loss of the innocent child, it serves as a grim reminder of the importance of prioritizing family and safety above all else.
Whitnee Eagle and Abraham Silas Red Cloud are currently serving their sentence and have been turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, and the grave consequences that can result from reckless behavior.
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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