PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- A 41 year old woman from Pierre has been charged with two misdemeanors after allegations last year that some children were abused at the woman’s in-home daycare.

A Hughes County grand jury issued the indictment against Brandi Jo Barringer Tuesday. She’s been charged with two counts of Contributing to the Abuse, Neglect, or Delinquency of a Child. Court information says between January, 2020 and May, 2022, Barringer contributed to the delinquency of a child– identified as E.B. (DOB: Aug. 7, 2013)– by not providing the care necessary for the child’s well-being. It also accuses Barringer of contributing to the abuse “through the actions or omissions of the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian.”

Hughes County State’s Attorney Jessica LaMie (la-me) said these abuse charges are not directly related to the initial allegations, but were the result of a follow-up investigation. The daycare in question is closed.

Last August, Facebook posts accusing Barringer of negligence went viral after at least two parents shared information accusing the provider of doing nothing to stop her nine year old son from physically and sexually abusing other children at the in-home daycare facility.

At the time, a letter from a Hughes County State Attorney Victim Witness Advocate (Denise Richards) confirmed something happened, but didn’t give specifics. It said, “State’s Attorney Jessica LaMie reviewed the reports she received from the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office and the South Dakota Division of Investigation. State’s Attorney LaMie has determined that no charges will be filed in this matter due to SD Codified Law 22-3-1 which excludes the prosecution of minors under the age of 10.”

A judge set Barringer’s bond at $1,000 cash. The maximum penalty for a Class 1 Misdemeanor in South Dakota is one year in a county jail, a $2000 fine or both.

In South Dakota, private, in-home daycare providers are not required to be licensed, certified or inspected by the city, county or state in order to be in operation.