Eagle Butte Woman Charged with Assault and Child Abuse

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury to a Child and Child Abuse.

Leilih Smart, age 31, was indicted on February 13, 2019.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 20, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between December 31, 2018, and January 1, 2019, Smart abused and assaulted a child under the age of 7 years old, causing serious bodily injury to the child.

The charges are merely accusations and Smart is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.   

Smart was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.