United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced that Collin Ray Delorme, also known as Collin Ray Delorme Sr., aged 30, from St. Michael, North Dakota, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison. This decision was made by Chief Judge Peter Welte at the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota in Fargo. Following his prison term, Delorme will undergo three years of supervised release with specific conditions. Additionally, he has been ordered to pay restitution for medical and funeral expenses jointly with his co-defendant.
The case stems from a February 18, 2023 incident when Kenzie Rose Baker called 911 from a residence in St. Michael within the Spirit Lake Reservation boundaries. Baker reported her one-year-old child was not breathing. The child was taken to CHI St. Alexius in Devils Lake, North Dakota and pronounced dead upon arrival. An autopsy revealed "battered child" syndrome due to multiple injuries of various ages, both external and internal. Untreated internal injuries led to infection and sepsis.
Delorme faced charges related to the abuse of the deceased one-year-old child and a separate charge for abusing a three-year-old child by hitting him on the arms and throwing him onto a bed.
Kenzie Rose Baker pleaded guilty on August 16, 2024, to charges including Accessory after the Fact; Child Abuse in Indian country; Child Neglect in Indian country. Her sentencing is scheduled for February 24, 2025.
"This sentence provides a measure of accountability for the horrendous abuse and tragic death of a toddler," stated Schneider. He emphasized the commitment of Indian country prosecutors working with multi-disciplinary teams on reservations alongside tribal social services and law enforcement partners to prevent child abuse and pursue strong prosecutions against offenders.
"The abuse and neglect that these children experienced is truly horrific," said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr., FBI Minneapolis. "Today's sentencing demonstrates our commitment to protecting vulnerable communities."
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorneys Lori H. Conroy and SheraLynn Ternes.
