FARGO (KFGO) – A Tokio, N.D. man has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to murder, child abuse, and child neglect.
In May 2020, agents with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigation responded to the home of Erich and Tammy Longie on the Spirit Lake Reservation where they found a 5-year-old child dead in the basement of the home.
An autopsy concluded the death was a homicide and identified the cause as brain bleeding from assault. The pathologist also found abrasions and contusions consistent with “multiple episodes of inflicted trauma.”
The child’s sibling was checked at a local hospital and was hospitalized for more than a month. The child had bruises consistent with abuse, but the primary medical concern was heart failure due to malnutrition.
Spirit Lake Tribal Social Services had previously placed the two children in foster care with the Longies in July of 2019.
The investigation revealed that two biological children were also abused.
Erich Longie was sentenced Thursday.
Tammy Longie plead guilty to second-degree murder, child abuse, and Child Neglect in Indian Country and is scheduled for sentencing in August.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s office.
