Adults might face charges for murder at Yankton Sioux complex

Thursday, July 12, 2012  

Two adults might be charged in connection with a two-year-old girl who was murdered at a housing complex operated by the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.

Laurie Ellen Joseph, 29, or Taylor L. Cournoyer, 21, were caring for the girl, RieLee Lovell, when she was found dead in their home on Saturday. Cournoyer is Yankton Sioux but it hasn't been reported whether Joseph is a tribal member.

Joseph and Counoyer have criminal records but neither has been charged with RieLee's death. An 11-year-old relative, however, is being held in custody.

The state is handling the case because the housing complex is on state-owned land. Neither the tribe nor Wagner, the nearest city, have jurisdiction at the site.

Joseph and Counoyer could be charged for failing to report RieLee's death within six hours.

Get the Story:
Caregivers for toddler found dead were wanted on warrants (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 7/12)

Yankton Sioux Tribe shocked by murder of two-year-old toddler (7/11