JULY 15, 2023;
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces Amanda Walder of Watertown, a former child care provider, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after she earlier pled guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the 2021 death of a 17-month-old child.
Walder was sentenced Friday (July 14, 2023) in Codington County Court in Watertown. She pled guilty to the charge in March as part of a plea agreement. Walder also was ordered to pay $13,164.75 in restitution to the family and $1,339.86 to Codington County.
Walder was watching the toddler at her in-home daycare center in July 2021 when Watertown police were called to a report of an unconscious child. The subsequent investigation revealed that the child died of traumatic brain injury caused by assault. Walder pled guilty to killing the child in a moment of passion, but in a cruel and unusual manner.
This case is one of six current child homicide cases being worked on by the Attorney General’s Office. In all of the cases, the victims were under the age of three years old.
“The victims were either injured by a parent, another family member or someone entrusted to care for children,” Jackley. “If anyone suspects a child has been abused, they should immediately call local law enforcement.”
This case was investigated by state Division of Criminal Investigation and the Watertown Police Department. It was prosecuted by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office.
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MARCH 15, 2023:
A woman from Watertown entered a “guilty” plea today (March 15, 2023) in Codington County after reaching a plea agreement with the prosecution.
Amanda Walder plead to one count of manslaughter 1st degree, a Class 6 felony and punishable by up to life in prison.
Walder was initially charged with murder – second-degree, two counts of manslaughter, first-degree, aggravated battery of an infant, and abuse/cruelty of a minor under seven years of age. The prosecution dismissed the four other charges.
Police and medical personnel were called to Walder’s home at 214 15th Street Northwest in Watertown on the afternoon of July 14, 2021, on a report of an unconscious child. The boy, Liam Koistinen, was taken to Prairie Lakes Hospital where a doctor noted a brain bleed and suspicion of possible abuse. He died that night at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Walder told police she had been “firm” with Liam, put him down for a nap, and that she could have hit his head on the frame of the bed, but that it would have been unintentional.
Assistant Attorney General Kelly Marnette requested that Walder be placed into custody immediately following the guilty plea.
Court-appointed Defense Attorney Donald McCarty listed reasoning to stay out of jail, including no prior history, has been out on bond this whole time with no issues, has made all the court appearances, and has four children at home, one of which is only two months old and is nursing.
The judge allowed Walder to remain free. She had previously paid bail of in the amount of $50,000. This case dates back to July 14, 2021, and court documents show on September 29, 2021, the $50,000 bond was posted.
(News partners Watertown Radio and KXLG contributed to this story.)
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SEPTEMBER 30, 2021:
WATERTOWN, S.D. (AP) — A Watertown woman has pleaded not guilty to felony charges in the death of a toddler who was in her care. A Codington County grand jury indicted 30-year-old Amanda Walder on one count of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree manslaughter and aggravated battery. First responders answered a call about an unconscious child at Walder’s unlicensed day care July 14. The Argus Leader reports 16-month-old Liam Koistinen died later that day from trauma that resulted in a brain bleed and swelling. A judge on Wednesday adjusted Walder’s bond to $50,000 cash from $100,000 and set a status hearing for Nov. 10. Trial is set to begin Nov. 19.
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JULY 16, 2021:
A Watertown woman has been arrested in connection with the death of a 16-month-old child in her care.
Watertown Police Sergeant Steve Rehorst says the investigation began when officers were called to an in-home daycare Wednesday afternoon (July 14, 2021).
The child was later transferred to Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, and died.
Police arrested 30 year-old Amanda Walder on a charge of Abuse or Cruelty to a Minor. She’s being held at the Codington County Jail on $25,000 cash bond.
The child’s name has not been released.
Rehorst says it’s an ongoing investigation, and explains where it goes from here.
Rehorst says it’s possible the charges against Walder could be upgraded to more serious charges– depending on the findings of the investigation.
(Watertown Radio contributed to this story.)
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JULY 15, 2021:
A Watertown woman has been arrested in connection with the death of a 16 month-old child in her care.
Watertown police were called to an in-home daycare in the 200-block of 15th Street Northwest just after 3pm yesterday (July 14, 2021) on a report of a child that was unconscious. Paramedics from Watertown Fire Rescue provided aid, and transported the child to Prairie Lakes Hospital. The child was later transferred to Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls and died.
Police arrested 30 year old Amanda Walder on a charge of Abuse or Cruelty to a Minor. She’s being held at the Codington County Jail on $25,000 cash bond.
The child’s name has not been released.
Watertown police and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation are teaming up as part of an ongoing investigation.
(Watertown Radio contributed to this story.)
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