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, 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 joined U.S. Attorney Ferguson in announcing the charges.
According to the indictment, Roland is accused of intentionally assaulting a minor child and causing serious bodily injury that includes permanent and protracted loss as well as impairment to the child’s mental and emotional function. The indictment also alleges that Roland acted with reckless disregard for human life through both willful acts and grossly negligent omissions in caring for the child, resulting in further serious injury.
Roland is currently held in tribal custody while awaiting transfer to the United States Marshals Service. Authorities emphasized that these are allegations at this stage and Roland is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson expressed gratitude to both the FBI and the Cherokee Indian Police Department for their work on this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex M. Scott from Asheville.
