Woman to be charged with murder in baby's death
A prosecutor says a woman on a Montana American Indian reservation will be charged with murder in the beating death of a 13-month-old girl.
Fort Peck Tribes Chief Prosecutor Scott Seifert said Tuesday that 42-year-old Janelle Red Dog could face additional charges at a later date.
Red Dog's attorney, Mary Zemyan, says her client will plead not guilty during a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday. Zemyan has noted the baby's cause of death is unclear.
Red Dog is accused of beating to death Kenzley Olson while the girl was under her care, then putting the body into a dumpster and reporting Kenzley missing.
Tribal law allows for a maximum three-year prison sentence on any one charge. Separate federal charges also are expected in the case.
The baby's mother was in jail on unspecified allegations when she died.