FARGO, ND (Valley News Live) – The United States Attorney has announced that a woman from Belcourt, North Dakota will go to federal prison on multiple charges.

Rhanie Marcellais, 42, appeared in federal court Wednesday before Judge Peter Welte. She was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, $300 in special assessment fees and ordered to pay $1,302 in restitution for one count of child abuse in Indian County, assault with a dangerous weapon and malicious mischief.

Court documents say that on or around Jan. 1, 2021, Belcourt law enforcement was notified that a female juvenile with the police department requested to speak with officers.

The female minor stated that she had argued with her mother, the defendant. The juvenile female left the police department shortly after being picked up by her father. Several hours later, the same juvenile female went to the emergency room in Belcourt, ND, stating that she had been assaulted by her mother, including the defendant throwing an empty beer bottle at the juvenile female who struck the juvenile female at neck and shoulder. The defendant then pushed a pillow in front of the minor. Injuries were observed on the female minor, consistent with her description of the incident.

In September 2022, a video surfaced depicting the incident as described by the minor victim. The video was provided to Turtle Mountain Child Welfare, who in turn provided the video to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

During the course of the child abuse investigation, the FBI was informed that the defendant assaulted an adult female in January 2023. The defendant assaulted the adult female by kicking the adult female in the face, chest, ribs, and arms, while the female adult he was on the ground. Medical records indicated the adult woman suffered broken ribs and a concussion.

David Sjol, superintendent of Dunseith Public Schools, confirmed that Marcellais was an English teacher at the school and was on administrative leave pending the investigation. He gave the following statement at the time of her arrest:

“The district can confirm that it has received a report from law enforcement regarding alleged misconduct by a teacher, although we have very little information at this time. The teacher will be on administrative leave pending an investigation. The District takes all reports of alleged staff misconduct very seriously and follows applicable District policies and procedures when responding to and investigating complaints. The district wants all staff and students to feel safe and comfortable in our educational and work environments and encourages anyone with a concern to contact a school administrator.”

On June 28, 2024, after a four-day jury trial, defendant Rhanie Marcellais was convicted of child abuse in Indian country, assault with a dangerous weapon, and malicious mischief. On the same day, the defendant requested contact with the minor victim, claiming that concerns about witness tampering were no longer present. District Judge Peter Welte denied the contact request. Despite the Court’s order, the defendant contacted the minor victim while in prison.

“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring public safety in Indian County, especially when it comes to protecting children,” Schneider said. “As this sentence shows, child abuse is a serious crime. The career prosecutors who skillfully tried this case and our partners in the FBI and BIA who investigated it deserve credit for their accountability and justice.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dawn M. Deitz and SheraLynn Ternes.

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