Pine Ridge Woman Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Child Abuse and Neglect and Involuntary Manslaughter

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Felony Child Abuse and Neglect and Involuntary Manslaughter.

Mona Goggleye, age 31, was indicted on May 24, 2016.  Goggleye appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on September 21, 2016, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Goggleye abusing and neglecting a child between May 6 and 7, 2016, near Pine Ridge.  This abuse and neglect resulted in the death of the child.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.

Goggleye was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has been set for November 29, 2016.