NEW: Woman charged in death of two year-old daughter in Hamlin County reaches plea deal

November 19, 2021
Mike Tanner

HAYTI, S.D.–A woman charged in the death of her two year-old child in Hamlin County will not go on trial.

Defense attorney Scott Bratland tells KWAT News his client, Josephine Raymundo (pictured), signed off on a plea agreement with prosecutors last week.

She was indicted by a Grand Jury on charges of First and Second Degree Manslaughter following the death of Jorgan Eagle Star.

Medical personnel were called to a Castlewood home on June 2nd, 2020 on a report of an unresponsive child. The girl was pronounced dead after she was taken to Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown.

In announcing the charges against Josephine Raymundo, South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg said there was evidence of, “ongoing child abuse.” 

Under terms of the plea deal, Raymundo agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of Child Abuse or Cruelty to a Minor. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, she will spend no more than five years in the South Dakota Penitentiary.  

The factual basis for the plea deal says Raymundo admitted, “exposing her child to the care of her (Raymundo’s) mother, despite knowing her mother was abusive and an alcoholic. The defendant admits this occurred in the weeks leading up to June 2nd, 2020.”

The plea agreement was accepted recently by Judge Robert Spears and signed by Raymundo, her attorney Scott Bratland, and Hamlin County State’s Attorney John Delzer.

Judge Spears issued a pre-sentence investigation, and scheduled Josephine Raymundo’s sentencing for December 9th at 2:00 p.m. at the Hamlin County Courthouse in Hayti.