United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Wanblee woman convicted of felony child abuse and neglect was sentenced on January 3, 2014, by Chief U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken. Kehuanna Poitra, age 31, was sentenced to 120 months’ custody and three years’ supervised release and was ordered to pay $100 to the Victim Assistance Fund.
Between July and August 2011 at Wanblee, Poitra failed to properly care for her infant son and did not seek necessary medical attention, causing his death. The infant was sent home from Rapid City Regional Hospital in the care of Poitra, who was given strict instructions for his care including monitoring or an apnea/Bradycardia machine, medication, and specialized formula. She failed to provide this care for him, resulting in his extreme malnourishment, dehydration, and ultimately pneumonia, which caused his death. Poitra pled guilty on October 3, 2013.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.
Poitra was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
