Mahnomen Woman Charged in Child Abuse Case

Mahnomen Woman Charged in Child Abuse Case

Mahnomen County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Mahnomen woman faces two criminal charges involving alleged abuse of a child.

Dianne Marie Kier, 66, was charged in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District Court.

She faces one felony count of aiding an offender to avoid arrest. She also faces one gross misdemeanor child neglect count.

The charges are allegations. Kier is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Felony Charge Filed

Prosecutors allege Kier helped conceal or assist someone accused of committing a felony.

The alleged conduct happened around May 19, 2026, in Mahnomen County.

The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison. It also carries a possible $5,000 fine.

The charge was filed under Minnesota Statute 609.495.

Child Neglect Allegation

The second charge involves allegations that Kier failed to protect a child from continuing sexual abuse.

Prosecutors allege the conduct occurred between January 2023 and May 2026.

The complaint says the child reported inappropriate contact by another juvenile living in the home.

TRF News is not naming either child because they are minors.

Authorities interviewed the child at the White Earth Child Advocacy Center in May.

The child alleged several incidents occurred over multiple years, according to the complaint.

The complaint says the child reported the alleged conduct to Kier during 2023.

Prosecutors claim Kier spoke with the other juvenile but took no further protective action.

Kier later told investigators that the child had never reported the alleged abuse to her.

The other juvenile denied the allegations during an interview with investigators.

Possible Penalties

The child neglect charge carries a maximum of 364 days in jail. It also carries a possible $3,000 fine.

That charge was filed under Minnesota Statute 609.378.

The case is listed as court file 44-CR-26-325.

Readers can find general court information through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

I’m Adrian Cole, reporting for TRF News.

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