Couple charged with child neglect and involuntary manslaughter of a 3-year old child

United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced Austin Ray Lester, 28, and Krissy Louise Hinsley, 25, both from Tokio, N.D., made initial appearances on April 19, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, on charges of Involuntary Manslaughter and two counts of Child Neglect in Indian country. Lester is also charged with Assault of a Child with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian country.

At Lester and Hinsley’s initial appearance, before United States Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter, both were ordered detained pending further hearings. Trial is currently scheduled for June 25, 2024.

The charges against Lester and Hinsley are related to the August 2022 neglect and death of a three-year-old child within the boundaries of the Spirit Lake Reservation. Lester and Hinsley pled not guilty to the charges.

An indictment in this case is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori H. Conroy and AUSA Samantha Schmidt.