BIA disputes some child abuse incidents at Spirit Lake Nation

Tuesday, November 6, 2012  

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is disputing a federal official's claims of certain child abuse incidents on the Spirit Lake Nation in North Dakota.

Thomas Sullivan, a regional official with the Administration for Children and Families, emailed federal prosecutors and other officials last week, offering graphic details of child abuse and child sexual abuse incidents. But the BIA said each case has either been investigated or resolved.

“The Bureau of Indian Affairs considers any and all reported allegations of child abuse extremely serious,” a BIA spokesperson told The Jamestown Sun.

Sullivan said the incidents are proof that little is being done to address an "epidemic" of child abuse on the reservation.

Get the Story:
Official: Tribe’s children still at risk (The Jamestown Sun 11/5)

Federal official widens blame in Spirit Lake Nation abuse crisis (11/1)
Editorial: Spirit Lake Nation needs a free and independent press (10/03)
Editorial: Leaders to blame for abuse woes at Spirit Lake Nation (10/2)
Spirit Lake Nation hands control of social service program to BIA (10/1)