Shawnenna Caroline Roland, 41, of Cherokee, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, pleaded guilty in federal court to child abuse, child neglect, and assault, 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.