Wagner woman convicted of felony child abuse

A Wagner woman has been found guilty on seven counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of felony child abuse and one count of abusive sexual contact.

53-year-old Tina Sully was a foster parent and adopted mother to several children. Between 1993 and 2021, Sully assaulted and cruelly punished three of the children, beating them with belts and hangers and withholding food from them for days. She also sexually abused one of the boys.

The verdict was handed down last week after a four-day jury trial in federal district court in Sioux Falls.

The charges carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years and maximum penalty of life in federal prison.

A sentencing date has not been set.

September 22, 2023