A South Dakota woman who pleaded guilty to neglecting her disabled 18-year-old son, who weighed only 80 pounds when he died, was sentenced to prison.
The Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office issued a press release announcing that a judge sentenced Naomia Prairie, 40, to 12 years in prison on Monday.
She pleaded guilty to child abuse and abuse or neglect of a disabled adult, admitting she abused her late 18-year-old son, Donny Merrival, as well as her 7-year-old child.
According to the State’s Attorney’s Office, Prairie exposed both of her children to illegal drugs while they were in her custody.
According to the doctor who performed his autopsy, her son, who had become quadriplegic at the age of 14, was malnourished, had never bathed, and resembled a “Holocaust victim.”
The case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Gina Nelson, who stated that Merrival was left to “rot” in the motel room where his family was living. Prairie fled instead of contacting law enforcement after his death on March 3, 2024.
Nelson stated that despite his disability, Merrival thrived while in the Department of Social Services’ care. When he turned 18 and was returned to his mother, his decline began.
According to Nelson, the 7-year-old child was not enrolled in school and was “taught to use methamphetamine by other adults.” She stated that the surviving child has progressed since being removed from Prairie’s care.
In the release, Nelson stated, “This case represents some of the most egregious conduct we’ve ever seen. Two vulnerable people, one a child and the other a severely disabled adult, relied entirely on Ms. Prairie for care and protection. Instead, she subjected them to unimaginable pain and neglect.
Seventh Circuit Court Judge Joshua Hendrickson, who imposed the sentences, described the case as “haunting” and “shocking.”
He sentenced Prairie to the maximum sentence on both counts: ten years for child abuse and two years for neglect of a disabled adult, to be served consecutively.
