FARGO (KFGO) – A woman from the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in northern North Dakota will spend just over four years in federal prison for child abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon, and malicious mischief.
The US Justice Department says 42-year-old Rhawnie Marcellais of Belcourt injured her daughter by throwing an empty beer bottle at the girl and hitting her in the neck and shoulder. She also pushed a pillow into the girl’s face.
The girl was treated at an emergency room and the abuse was captured on video.
While investigating the 2021 child abuse case, FBI agents learned Marcellais assaulted a woman in 2023 by kicking her multiple times while she was on the ground. The victim suffered fractured ribs and a concussion.
Marcellais was convicted by a jury in June and sentenced Wednesday.
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