PIERRE — A Fort Thompson woman is facing up to 15 years in federal prison after a grand jury indicted her for two charges in connection to a child’s death that is alleged to be a result of child abuse.
Amber Touche, 29, of Fort Thompson, was indicted April 12 in federal court for one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of child abuse.
The indictment alleges that, on June 10, 2021, Touche abused her 2-month-old child while in Big Bend, ultimately resulting in the child dying by asphyxiation.
Touche appeared in federal court on April 28 and entered a not guilty plea to both charges.
If convicted, Touche could be sentenced to serve up to 15 years in federal prison and ordered to pay a $250,000 fine. Three years of supervised release and an order to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
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The charges come as a result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Touche was released on bond pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled.
