North Dakota Woman Charged With Child Abuse

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Fort Yates, North Dakota woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury.

Marissa Sitting Dog, age 25, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 12, 2013 for Child Abuse and Neglect. Sitting Dog appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

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 charge is merely an accusation, and Sitting Dog is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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

Sitting Dog was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A trial date has not been set.