SEPTEMBER 12, 2023:
A 41 year old woman from Pierre has entered not guilty pleas to two misdemeanors after allegations last year (Aug. 30, 2022) that some children were abused at the woman’s in-home daycare.
Brandi Jo Barringer’s (DOB Oct. 16, 1981) is charged with two counts of Contributing to the Abuse, Neglect, or Delinquency of a Child. Court information says between January, 2020 and May, 2022, Barringer contributed to the delinquency of a child– identified as E.B. (DOB: Aug. 7, 2013)— by not providing the care necessary for the child’s well-being. It also accuses Barringer of contributing to the abuse “through the actions or omissions of the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian.”
In August (2022), Facebook posts accusing Barringer of negligence went viral after at least two parents shared information accusing the provider of doing nothing to stop her nine year old son from physically and sexually abusing other children at the in-home daycare facility.
Barringer’s next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 15, 2023.
The maximum penalty for a Class 1 Misdemeanor in South Dakota is one year in a county jail, a $2000 fine or both.
In South Dakota, private, in-home daycare providers are not required to be licensed, certified or inspected by the city, county or state in order to be in operation.
MAY 17, 2023:
A 41 year old woman from Pierre has been charged with two misdemeanors after allegations last year (August 30, 2022) that some children were abused at the woman’s in-home daycare.
A Hughes County grand jury issued the indictment against Brandi Jo Barringer yesterday (May 16, 2023). She’s been charged with two counts of Contributing to the Abuse, Neglect, or Delinquency of a Child. Court information says between January, 2020 and May, 2022, Barringer contributed to the delinquency of a child– identified as E.B.– by not providing the care necessary for the child’s well-being. It also accuses Barringer of contributing to the abuse “through the actions or omissions of the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian.”
Hughes County State’s Attorney Jessica LaMie said these abuse charges are not directly related to the initial allegations, but were the result of a follow-up investigation. The daycare in question is closed.
In August (2022), Facebook posts accusing Barringer of negligence went viral after at least two parents shared information accusing the provider of doing nothing to stop her nine year old son from physically and sexually abusing other children at the in-home daycare facility.
At the time, a letter from a Hughes County State Attorney Victim Witness Advocate (Denise Richards) confirmed something happened, but didn’t give specifics. It said, “State’s Attorney Jessica LaMie reviewed the reports she received from the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office and the South Dakota Division of Investigation. State’s Attorney LaMie has determined that no charges will be filed in this matter due to SD Codified Law 22-3-1 which excludes the prosecution of minors under the age of 10.”
A judge set Barringer’s bond at $1,000 cash. The maximum penalty for a Class 1 Misdemeanor in South Dakota is one year in a county jail, a $2000 fine or both.
In South Dakota, private, in-home daycare providers are not required to be licensed, certified or inspected by the city, county or state in order to be in operation.
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AUGUST 31, 2022:
Facebook posts accusing a Pierre child care of negligence have gone viral this week (Aug. 30, 2022) after at least two people shared information accusing the provider of doing nothing to stop their nine year old son from physically and sexually abusing other children at the in-home daycare facility.
A letter from Hughes County State Attorney Victim Witness Advocate, Denise Richards, confirms something happened, but doesn’t give specifics. It says, “State’s Attorney Jessica LaMie reviewed the reports she received from the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office and the South Dakota Division of Investigation. State’s Attorney LaMie has determined that no charges will be filed in this matter due to SD Codified Law 22-3-1 which excludes the prosecution of minors under the age of 10.” The letter also offers to connect the recipients to the state Crime Victim’s Compensation Program to “possibly assist with counseling costs for your children.”
Some parents of the alleged victims say they want to move forward with legal action, but that will likely have to be in civil, not criminal, court. One of the parents put on her Facebook page that her child is in counseling and has had nightmares as a result of the trauma.
According to the South Dakota Department of Social Services, signs of child abuse or neglect vary depending on the type, frequency or severity of the mistreatment. DSS breaks it down into four categories:
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physical abuse
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physical neglect
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sexual abuse
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emotional abuse
DSS says while some of the signs or behaviors of the types of abuse may overlap, none are singular, definitive indicators mistreatment has occurred. It’s necessary to look at all aspects of a child’s family and social interactions to determine whether there’s past, present or future potential danger.
The daycare in question is currently closed. In South Dakota, private, in-home daycare providers are not required to be licensed, certified or inspected by the city, county or state in order to be in operation.
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