Mother receives 12 years in prison for neglect death of 18-year-old quadriplegic son

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA/Gray News) - A woman in South Dakota was sentenced to 12 years in prison Monday after the death of her 18-year-old quadriplegic son.

Naomia Prairie, 40, pleaded guilty in April to child abuse and abuse or neglect of a disabled adult.

At the time of his death, prosecutors said Donny Merrival weighed just over 80 pounds and died of extreme neglect while in Prairie’s care.

Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Gina Nelson said the doctor who conducted the autopsy compared Merrival’s body to a Holocaust victim.

According to prosecutors, a 7-year-old also in Prairie’s care had never been enrolled in school. The child was malnourished and had been taught to use meth by other adults.

Judge Joshua Hendrickson called the case both shocking and haunting.

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