Mom let disabled 18-year-old 'rot' until he weighed 80 lbs
Share this @internewscast.com

Left: Naomia Prairie (Pennington County Sheriff’s Department). Right: Donny Merrival (Sioux Funeral Home).

A South Dakota mother who admitted to neglecting her disabled 18-year-old son—who weighed only 80 pounds when he died—has received a prison sentence.

According to a statement from the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office, a judge handed down a 12-year prison term to 40-year-old Naomia Prairie on Monday. She admitted guilt to charges of child abuse and the abuse or neglect of a disabled adult, relating to the mistreatment of her late 18-year-old son, Donny Merrival, as well as her 7-year-old child.

The State’s Attorney’s Office detailed that Prairie exposed her children to illegal drugs while they were under her supervision. Her son, who became a quadriplegic at 14, was found malnourished, unwashed, and with a gaunt appearance described as akin to a “Holocaust victim,” according to the doctor who performed his autopsy.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Gina Nelson, who prosecuted the case, stated that Merrival had been left to “rot” in the motel room where his family was living. After he died there on March 3, 2024, Prairie “fled instead of contacting law enforcement.”

Nelson stated that despite his disability, Merrival thrived while under the care of the Department of Social Services. Once he turned 18 and was turned back over to his mother, his decline began. The 7-year-old child, Nelson said, was never enrolled in school and was “taught to use methamphetamine by other adults.” She noted that the surviving child has made progress since being removed from Prairie’s care.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Texas Tragedy: Hunt Intensifies for Hit-and-Run Truck Driver in Fatal Scooter Accident

Authorities in Texas are appealing to the community for assistance in tracking…

Texas Woman Taken into Custody Following Discovery of Father’s Decomposing Body in Residence

A Texas woman faces incarceration after authorities discovered her father’s decaying remains…

Gainesville Resident Apprehended for Alleged Tip Jar Theft and Filing a False Police Report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a twist of events early this morning, 21-year-old…

Former Judges Invoke Alexander Hamilton in Cautionary Message to Supreme Court Regarding Trump

President Donald Trump listens to a question from a reporter as he…

Washington Tragedy: Man Faces Murder Charges in Fatal Stabbing of 58-Year-Old Woman

A man is facing murder charges following the death of a 58-year-old…

Shocking Incident: Man Accused of Holding Parents Captive and Assaulting Them for 12 Hours

Nathaniel Kay (Belmont Police Department). A man from New Hampshire has been…

Deputies Report: Teen Assisted Father in Disposing of Woman’s Body

Inset: Jennifer Ruth Stuart (Clackamas County Sheriff”s Office’s). Background: Mount Hood National…

9th Circuit Court Overturns Trump Administration Win Following Federal Misconduct

FILE – President Donald Trump speaks to the media, Friday, June 27,…

Battin Pledges Firm Action on Crime with ‘Break Bail, Face Jail’ Initiative

In a bold move to address crime, Victoria’s opposition leader, Brad Battin,…

Debt Dispute Turns Deadly: Man Allegedly Shoots Woman Over Unpaid Loan, Police Report

Inset: Antres Holliness-Ransom (Allen County Sheriff”s Office). Background: The 2900 block of…

Tragic Stabbing Incident Rocks Beloved Nightlife Hub: What You Need to Know

A man has tragically lost his life, and another is hospitalized following…

Probationary Drug Offender Arrested for Alleged Drug Trafficking and Firearm Possession

In Gainesville, Florida, a 26-year-old man named Gary A. Hill was taken…