Involuntary Manslaughter and Child Abuse Charges Brought Against Pine Ridge Woman

Acting U.S. Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Pine Ridge woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Involuntary Manslaughter and Abuse of a Minor Child. Kendra Warrior, age 23, of Pine Ridge, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 25, 2009, for Involuntary Manslaughter and Abuse of a Minor Child. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on October 1, 2009, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is eight years' imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for Involuntary Manslaughter, and 15 years' imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for Abuse of a Minor. The charge is merely an accusation, and Warrior is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mara M. Kohn is prosecuting the case. Warrior was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.