Rhawnie Marcellais, Child Abuse, North Dakota 2024

Rhawnie Marcellais, 42, Sentenced to 50 Months in Federal Prison for Child Abuse

Fargo, North Dakota - In a disturbing case of child abuse, Rhawnie Marcellais, a 42-year-old woman from Belcourt, North Dakota, was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, $300 in special assessment fees, and ordered to pay restitution totaling $1302 for her crimes.

According to court documents, on or about January 1, 2021, law enforcement in Belcourt, North Dakota, was notified of a minor female who had gone to the police department to report a dispute with her mother, Marcellais. The minor female departed the police department shortly thereafter but returned a few hours later to the emergency room in Belcourt, indicating she had been assaulted by her mother.

The minor female stated that Marcellais had thrown an empty beer bottle at her, striking her in the neck and shoulder, and then pushed a pillow into her face. Injuries were noted on the minor female consistent with her description of the incident.

A video emerged in September 2022, depicting the incident as described by the minor victim. The video was provided to Turtle Mountain Child Welfare, who in turn provided it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

During the course of the investigation, the FBI was made aware of Marcellais assaulting an adult female in January 2023. Marcellais assaulted the adult female by kicking her face, chest, ribs, and arms while she was on the ground. Medical records indicated the adult female suffered fractured ribs and a concussion.

On June 28, 2024, after a four-day jury trial, Marcellais was convicted of child abuse in Indian Country, assault with a dangerous weapon, and malicious mischief. Despite a court order denying her request for contact with the minor female victim, Marcellais contacted the minor female while incarcerated.

'The United States Attorney's Office is committed to public safety in Indian country, especially when it comes to protecting kids,' said United States Attorney Mac Schneider. 'As this sentence shows, child abuse is a serious crime.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dawn M. Deitz and SheraLynn Ternes.

Mandatory facts: Defendant name: Rhawnie Marcellais; Criminal charges: Child abuse in Indian Country, assault with a dangerous weapon, and malicious mischief; City and state: Fargo, North Dakota; Exact date: January 1, 2021; Sentence or outcome: 50 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, $300 in special assessment fees, and ordered to pay restitution totaling $1302.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nd/pr/belcourt-woman-sentenced-federal-prison-child-abuse-assault-dangerous-weapon-and