Cherokee Woman Pleads Guilty to Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury on a Child in Indian Country

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Shawnenna Caroline Roland, 41, of Cherokee, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, appeared in federal court today and pleaded guilty to child abuse, child neglect, and assault in Indian Country, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

"There is no excuse for treating a helpless child this way," said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. "Roland relentlessly assaulted and abused a child entrusted in her care, causing the child serious and lasting harm. This is disgusting behavior that will land you in federal prison."

According to plea documents, between May 6 and May 20, 2024, Roland repeatedly assaulted a child resulting in serious bodily injury, including permanent and protracted loss and impairment of the child's mental and emotional function. Plea documents show that Roland assaulted the victim on multiple occasions, hitting the victim with "switches," banging her fist on the victim's fingers, and striking her multiple times. According to court documents, on May 20, 2024, Roland banged the victim's head into a wooden couch frame. Roland did not seek immediate medical attention for the victim. First responders came to Roland's residence where they found the victim unresponsive, after another minor in the home called 911. The victim was flown by helicopter to the hospital and received treatment for traumatic brain injury. Court documents show that a bone scan performed at the hospital revealed several healing fractures throughout the victim's body, including on the victim's right arm, pelvis, and both hands. The victim's nose was also broken, and the victim had sustained multiple bruises and abrasions, in addition to having torn ligaments in the neck and a fractured sacrum.

Roland remains in federal custody. At sentencing, she faces a sentence of up to 395 months in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the FBI and the Cherokee Indian Police Department for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex M. Scott of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Asheville is prosecuting the case.