Shawnenna Caroline Roland, 39, of Cherokee and an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has been charged with federal offenses related to child abuse, child neglect, and assault in Indian country. The announcement was made by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
James C. Barnacle, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Carla Neadeau of the Cherokee Indian Police Department (CIPD) joined U.S. Attorney Ferguson in announcing the charges.
According to a three-count indictment, Roland is accused of intentionally assaulting a minor child resulting in serious bodily injury. The indictment alleges that these injuries included permanent and protracted loss and impairment of the child’s mental and emotional function. It also claims that Roland acted with reckless disregard for human life through both willful actions and grossly negligent omissions in caring for the child.
Roland is currently being held in tribal custody while awaiting transfer to the United States Marshals Service. Authorities emphasized that these are only allegations at this stage and that she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked both the FBI and the Cherokee Indian Police Department for their work on this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex M. Scott from Asheville is handling prosecution efforts.
