Brookings woman sentenced to 75 years in prison for starvation death of child

September 23, 2021

BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota woman accused in the July 2019 starvation death of a 3-year-old girl has been sentenced to 75 years in prison.

Twenty-seven-year-old Renae Fayant (pictured) and 29-year-old Robert Price, Jr., both of Brookings, are accused in the death of Fayant’s niece.

The two adults were the child’s caregivers for two years.

An autopsy showed the toddler died of dehydration and malnourishment. Investigators say the girl was confined to a small area of the home where they also found feces.

Fayant pleaded guilty in July to first-degree manslaughter.

Fayant was given credit for the 781 days she’s been in jail and was ordered to pay back her court appointed attorney fees. 

Price pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a jury trial next month.