Santee Woman Sentenced for Child Abuse and Neglect

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Santeena McBride, age 35, of Santee, Nebraska, was sentenced October 30, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for felony child abuse and neglect. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced McBride to 48 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After McBride is released from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On May 23, 2022, the Santee Sioux Nation Police Department received an intake from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services related to a minor child in need of a welfare check at a home on the Santee Sioux Nation Indian Reservation. Santee Tribal Police responded to the home where the minor child was found to be living in unsanitary conditions. The minor child was pale and not moving. Investigation revealed the child had not been receiving adequate care and she was hospitalized for both anemia and malnutrition. Investigation revealed McBride was responsible for the minor’s care and McBride had placed the minor in a situation that endangered her life or physical health, which resulted in serious bodily injury to the child.

This case was charged in United States District Court because McBride and the minor child are both Native American and the offense, a felony level child abuse offense, occurred on an Indian Reservation giving rise to federal jurisdiction.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.