The Bureau of Indian Affairs is taking over social services on the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation of North Dakota after years of neglect.

Molly McDonald, a former tribal court judge, said she saw 20 to 30 child abuse sex cases a year. But many more cases appear to go unreported, although firm statistics aren't available.

“It bothers me that it is so accepted, that it is considered so normal. It’s lawless,” McDonald told The New York Times.

Betty Jo Krenz, a former social worker for the tribe, said she handled 131 cases a year, far more than the state average caseload. The reservation is home to 38 registered sex offenders despite its small size and there's at least one family where all the men in the home are registered offenders.

Over the past two years, three children have died, including two siblings who were victims of sexual abuse before they were murdered. Another infant's death is still under investigation.

“The perpetrators know they can get away with it because the authorities don’t do anything,” elder Joanne Streifel told the paper.

Get the Story:
U.S. Is Seeking to Stem Endless Abuse of Tribe’s Children (The New York Times 9/20)

Related Stories:
BIA to take over Spirit Lake Nation social services program (9/17)
Spirit Lake Nation social service director was in foster care (9/13)
BIA reviews Spirit Lake Nation self-determination contracts (9/11)
Investigation continues into death of child on Spirit Lake Nation (9/6)
US Attorney wants to provide help to Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation (9/5)
Editorial: Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation blames everyone for abuse (9/5)
Trial delayed for man accused of murdering Spirit Lake children (9/4)
Raymond Foxworth: Spirit Lake Nation crisis rooted in US history (9/3)
BIA reportedly sets deadline over Spirit Lake Nation contracts (8/28)
BIA 'strike team' to address child safety at Spirit Lake Nation (8/27)
Editorial: Spirit Lake Nation problems need sharper attention (8/27)
Sen. Conrad loses confidence in Spirit Lake Nation leadership (8/24)
Editorial: Don't let politics harm children on Spirit Lake Nation (8/24)
Republicans killed money for home visits at Spirit Lake Nation (8/23)
Editorial: Spirit Lake Nation defensive in wake of abuse cases (8/13)
IHS rescinds reprimand of employee in Spirit Lake controversy (8/3)
Editorial: IHS should explain reprimand of tribal whistleblower (7/31)
IHS reprimands employee who warned about Spirit Lake children (7/30)
Man charged for murders of Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation children (7/24)
Editorial: Children's safety at risk on Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation (7/18)
Toddler who died on Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation being laid to rest (7/13)
BIA investigates death of baby girl on Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation (7/11)
Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation faces scrutiny over child welfare woes (7/9)
HHS official blames Spirit Lake Nation for child abuse problems (6/22)
Sen. Hoeven seeks answers on Spirit Lake social services (04/25)
Editorial: A free press is essential, even in a tribal society (4/17)
Deaths of Spirit Lake Dakotah children treated as homicide (05/26)
Spirit Lake mother confirms identities of two slain children (5/25)
Father suspected for deaths of two children at Spirit Lake (5/24)