Grandmother receives nine and a half years for her role in murder

The grandmother of Kylen Shangreaux, Sonya Dubray, has been sentenced for her role in his murder and cover up. The young boy died in a tragic way but his family wants to keep his memory alive by helping others.

RAPID CITY – The story for Kylen Shangreaux, age 2 at the time of his death, has been a tragic one; killed by his birth mother in the middle of the night and having his bruised and beaten body be the central evidence in his mother’s and grandmother’s convictions.
On Tuesday, Sept. 17, Sonya Dubray, 51, was sentenced to 9 ½ years for her role in the beating death of Shangreaux by Judge Jeffrey Viken.
This story had made headlines over the last three years since the boy’s passing. Angela Shangreaux (Kylen’s paternal aunt) has worked to keep the memory of the young boy alive through social media and advocacy. She had the boy in her custody for over a year before returning Kylen back to the mother, Katrina Shangreaux, who had him for just over fifty days before his death. She was sentenced last year to 40 years in prison for Second Degree Murder.
The courtroom last week was filled with emotions and tension as the long-awaited sentencing hearing began. The family and friends of Angela Shangreaux, along with Kylen’s grandparents, Rick and Patti Shangreaux sat on one side, and the family and supporters of Dubray sat on the other; one side waiting for victory and the other side waiting for the fate of their loved one.
Judge Viken had informed the court there was not positive part of this story during his opening remarks to the court. “I have no doubt there is suffering,” he explained, calling this an egregious homicide on a boy who had no chance of surviving the brutal beating which left bruises and trauma to 60-70 percent of his body.
Dubray had earlier pleaded guilty of accessory to second degree murder and admitted to cleaning the body, clothing and crime scene in order to help her daughter cover up the crime committed. In court, Dubray said she wanted to clean the deceased body in preparation for the ambulance ride.
Dubray had received several letters of support over the last couple of years, including three letters from staff at Oglala Lakota College, including Ted Standing Soldier who spoke on her behalf. Since being bonded out, the grandmother had attended classes there and became part of the Women’s Society – mentoring others.
During the sentencing hearing, Dubray had claimed to have PTSD and acute stress disorder and had not been clearly aware of the crime she was committing during the incident. Her attorney was in tears as he described his client’s health and behaviors saying she “wanted to protect her family.”
Her daughter and sister provided emotional testimony on Dubray’s behalf. Her family took the sentencing hard and will surely miss the grandmother during the time she is incarcerated.
The sentencing provides some closure for the grieving families. This dark chapter in their lives has partially ended. Angela Shangreaux hopes to help others through the tragic life lost. She wants to push for Kylen’s Law on the reservation in hopes of helping other children caught up in family court.
Angela Shangreaux told Native Sun News Today early on that she never wanted her ‘son’ to become just another statistic. To her, he was more than a number, more than a headline and more than just someone to be forgotten. Although both person’s in his murder have been convicted and sent to prison, this is likely not the last we hear about Kylen Shangreaux.

(Contact Richie Richards at richie4175@gmail.com)

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