MITCHELL, S.D. – Mitchell Police have arrested a 21 year old woman for first-degree manslaughter and abuse or cruelty to a minor. In a news release from the Mitchell Police Department, dispatch received a 911 call around 8 am Monday from a female who said she was taking a five-year old boy who wasn’t breathing to the Avera Queen of Peace emergency room. Advanced life-saving measures were initiated at the E-R. The child was declared deceased at the hospital.
An autopsy performed on Tuesday indicated the child died as a result of blunt force trauma to the abdomen and the death ruled a homicide.
21 year old Julia Lee Carter of Mitchell apparently told police she kicked the five year old approximately five times in the stomach and stomped on his abdomen. She also apparently told police she knew she injured the child. Carter and the child lived at the same residence.
Carter was arrested for first-degree manslaughter, a class one felony, and abuse or cruelty to a minor, a class four felony.
Police say the investigation is ongoing.
