December 17, 2014

Spirit Lake Woman Sentenced for Child Abuse or Neglect

FARGO—U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Dec. 16, 2014, Geraldine Dumarce, 33, St. Michael, N.D., was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Ralph R Erickson to serve six months in prison for child abuse or neglect.

On May 14, 2010, Dumarce operated a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol while her 17 month old child was unrestrained in the vehicle. Dumarce had numerous convictions in Spirit Lake Tribal Court that detailed a history of her abusing alcohol and subsequently neglecting her children. On August 4, 2011, police officers were called about three small children aged 4, 3, and one years wandering outside unsupervised. Officers found Dumarce in the home intoxicated and passed out causing her to become incapable of exercising parental control and supervision. On May 8, 2012 in Cannonball, N.D., police responding to a call for assistance made by Dumarce’s 14 year old son, found Dumarce so intoxicated she was incapable of exercising proper parental control over her minor children aged 6, 4, 3, 2, and 6 months. On April 4, 2013, officers were called to a home on the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation where Dumarce was found unresponsive due to intoxication as her five minor children wandered inside and outside the home unsupervised and not clothed for the 30 degree weather conditions. The children were subsequently removed from Dumarce’s custody. The children suffered untreated medical conditions, malnourishment, and dental neglect.

Judge Erickson also sentenced Dumarce to three years of supervised release with the condition that up to 12 months be placement in a residential re-entry center and a $100 special assessment that is to be paid to the Crime Victims Fund.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Indian Affairs-Fort Totten.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Janice Morley prosecuted the case.