Couple sentenced after being found guilty of child abuse and neglect

TULSA In June 2023, a federal jury found Joel Richard Smith and Amanda Irene Smith guilty of Child Abuse in Indian Country and Child Neglect in Indian Country. This week, U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill sentenced the Salina husband and wife in separate hearings.

Joel Richard Smith, 49, a Cherokee Nation citizen, received 180 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Amanda Irene Smith, 45, was sentenced to 240 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.

At trial, testimony revealed the Smiths were legal guardians for a 9-year-old child victim. In April 2019, the Mayes County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a malnourished child who had escaped to a neighbor's home. The child testified about being forced to do manual labor, locked outside, and fed inadequately. She described nighttime crawling to the kitchen for food and being handcuffed to a pack-n-play. The abuse included being hit with a broom, belt, and horsefly, and forced to wear diapers.

Medical professionals testified that the child, who weighed 50 pounds at age four when entering the Smiths' home, weighed only 41 pounds at age nine in 2019. The child suffered from malnutrition, bruising, and infected handcuff wounds.

At sentencing, Joel Smith accepted responsibility, while Amanda Smith continued to deny involvement. Joel Smith will be transferred to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Amanda Smith remains on bond and will voluntarily surrender to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

Copyright © 2024 BridgeTower Media. All Rights Reserved.