Topline: Officials say the case is among the most disturbing child abuse incidents ever prosecuted in the county.
Published: June 4, 2025 8:00 am ET
Must Read
Naomia Prairie (via Pennington County Sheriff’s Department)
RAPID CITY, SD — A South Dakota woman was sentenced Monday to 12 years in prison for the extreme neglect and abuse that led to the death of her disabled 18-year-old son.
On Monday, 40-year-old Naomia Prairie was sentenced to 12 years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary following her guilty plea to child abuse and abuse or neglect of a disabled adult.
The charges stem from the death of Prairie’s 18-year-old son, Donny Merrival, a quadriplegic who died as a result of extreme neglect while in Prairie’s care, according to the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors say Merrival weighed just over 80 pounds at the time of his death.
During sentencing, Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Gina Nelson stated that the doctor who conducted the autopsy compared Merrival’s body to that of a Holocaust victim, according to prosecutors.
Nelson said Merrival was exposed to illegal drugs, was not fed or bathed, and was ultimately left to “rot.”
Merrival had died in a motel room where he, Prairie, and a seven-year-old child had been staying.
According to Nelson, when Prairie realized Merrival was dead in the motel room, she fled instead of contacting law enforcement.
Merrival, who became quadriplegic at age 14, remained in the custody of the Department of Social Services until age 18 and during that time he had been learning to thrive, despite his handicap, according to Nelson.
The seven-year-old child, also in Prairie’s care, had never been enrolled in school, was also malnourished and had been taught to use methamphetamine by other adults. Since being removed from Prairie’s care, the child has made significant progress, according to Nelson.
“This case represents some of the most egregious conduct we’ve ever seen,” Nelson said. “Two vulnerable individuals, one a child and the other a severely disabled adult, were entirely dependent on Ms. Prairie for care and safety. Instead, she subjected them to unimaginable suffering and neglect.”
Seventh Circuit Court Judge Joshua Hendrickson called the case both “shocking” and “haunting” as he handed down the maximum sentence: 10 years for the child abuse charge and an additional two years to run consecutively for the neglect of a disabled adult.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Mother Sentenced for Letting Disabled Son ‘Rot’ While 7-Year-Old Learned to Use Meth
Officials say the case is among the most disturbing child abuse incidents ever prosecuted in the county.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 4, 2025 8:00 am ET
Naomia Prairie (via Pennington County Sheriff’s Department)
RAPID CITY, SD — A South Dakota woman was sentenced Monday to 12 years in prison for the extreme neglect and abuse that led to the death of her disabled 18-year-old son.
On Monday, 40-year-old Naomia Prairie was sentenced to 12 years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary following her guilty plea to child abuse and abuse or neglect of a disabled adult.
The charges stem from the death of Prairie’s 18-year-old son, Donny Merrival, a quadriplegic who died as a result of extreme neglect while in Prairie’s care, according to the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors say Merrival weighed just over 80 pounds at the time of his death.
During sentencing, Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Gina Nelson stated that the doctor who conducted the autopsy compared Merrival’s body to that of a Holocaust victim, according to prosecutors.
Nelson said Merrival was exposed to illegal drugs, was not fed or bathed, and was ultimately left to “rot.”
Merrival had died in a motel room where he, Prairie, and a seven-year-old child had been staying.
According to Nelson, when Prairie realized Merrival was dead in the motel room, she fled instead of contacting law enforcement.
Merrival, who became quadriplegic at age 14, remained in the custody of the Department of Social Services until age 18 and during that time he had been learning to thrive, despite his handicap, according to Nelson.
The seven-year-old child, also in Prairie’s care, had never been enrolled in school, was also malnourished and had been taught to use methamphetamine by other adults. Since being removed from Prairie’s care, the child has made significant progress, according to Nelson.
“This case represents some of the most egregious conduct we’ve ever seen,” Nelson said. “Two vulnerable individuals, one a child and the other a severely disabled adult, were entirely dependent on Ms. Prairie for care and safety. Instead, she subjected them to unimaginable suffering and neglect.”
Seventh Circuit Court Judge Joshua Hendrickson called the case both “shocking” and “haunting” as he handed down the maximum sentence: 10 years for the child abuse charge and an additional two years to run consecutively for the neglect of a disabled adult.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Mother Sentenced for Letting Disabled Son ‘Rot’ While 7-Year-Old Learned to Use Meth
Officials say the case is among the most disturbing child abuse incidents ever prosecuted in the county.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 4, 2025 8:00 am ET
Naomia Prairie (via Pennington County Sheriff’s Department)
RAPID CITY, SD — A South Dakota woman was sentenced Monday to 12 years in prison for the extreme neglect and abuse that led to the death of her disabled 18-year-old son.
On Monday, 40-year-old Naomia Prairie was sentenced to 12 years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary following her guilty plea to child abuse and abuse or neglect of a disabled adult.
The charges stem from the death of Prairie’s 18-year-old son, Donny Merrival, a quadriplegic who died as a result of extreme neglect while in Prairie’s care, according to the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors say Merrival weighed just over 80 pounds at the time of his death.
During sentencing, Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Gina Nelson stated that the doctor who conducted the autopsy compared Merrival’s body to that of a Holocaust victim, according to prosecutors.
Nelson said Merrival was exposed to illegal drugs, was not fed or bathed, and was ultimately left to “rot.”
Merrival had died in a motel room where he, Prairie, and a seven-year-old child had been staying.
According to Nelson, when Prairie realized Merrival was dead in the motel room, she fled instead of contacting law enforcement.
Merrival, who became quadriplegic at age 14, remained in the custody of the Department of Social Services until age 18 and during that time he had been learning to thrive, despite his handicap, according to Nelson.
The seven-year-old child, also in Prairie’s care, had never been enrolled in school, was also malnourished and had been taught to use methamphetamine by other adults. Since being removed from Prairie’s care, the child has made significant progress, according to Nelson.
“This case represents some of the most egregious conduct we’ve ever seen,” Nelson said. “Two vulnerable individuals, one a child and the other a severely disabled adult, were entirely dependent on Ms. Prairie for care and safety. Instead, she subjected them to unimaginable suffering and neglect.”
Seventh Circuit Court Judge Joshua Hendrickson called the case both “shocking” and “haunting” as he handed down the maximum sentence: 10 years for the child abuse charge and an additional two years to run consecutively for the neglect of a disabled adult.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
