Wanblee woman accused of killing infant son by 'extreme neglect'

SIOUX FALLS (AP) — A Wanblee woman who was nominated for a victim's advocacy award two years ago is now accused of murdering her infant son "by extreme neglect."

The media reports that Kehunna Poitra was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on charges of second-degree murder and felony child abuse and neglect.

The indictment alleges Poitra neglected her son over the course of seven weeks, causing the death of Keeshawn Poitra-Doyle on Aug. 23.

In 2009, the U.S. Department of Justice nominated Poitra and another man for the National Crime Victims' Rights Week Special Courage Award. According to the nominating letter, Poitra sought hospital care for a baby she found bruised and unresponsive in an acquaintance's freezing-cold home in December 2008.

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