Infant’s death leads to murder charge

RAPID CITY — A 9-week-old infant whose disappearance triggered a multi-agency investigation was honored Tuesday as Indigenous motorcycle groups escorted him home to the Pine Ridge Reservation for burial.

Baby Melinko Ivan Bagola, last confirmed seen on April 19, was reported missing during a welfare check on May 7. Authorities initially issued a public alert asking for help locating the child, describing him as a Native American male infant with brown hair and brown eyes, approximately 2 feet tall and weighing about 12 pounds.

Investigators said Melinko may have last been in the care of one of his parents, Tyler Slow Bear or Denitra Bagola. Officials said they were aware of the parents’ location at the time of the search, but the infant’s whereabouts remained unknown until Slow Bear later admitted to assaulting the child and disposing of his body in a remote area on the outskirts of Rapid City.

Officers located the remains after Slow Bear directed investigators to the site. An autopsy is underway to determine the exact cause of death.

Slow Bear, 28, has been charged with second degree murder and improper disposal of a body. He is being held in the Pennington County Jail on a $10 million cash bond. Police said the child’s mother, Denitra Bagola, is not facing charges in the case.

The Rapid City Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation are continuing to investigate.

On Tuesday afternoon, members of Medicine Wheel Ride, along with other Iron Horse riders and community supporters, gathered at the Circle K on Campbell Street to escort the infant’s body south to Pine Ridge. The South Dakota Highway Patrol assisted with the motorcade.

Organizers said the escort was meant to honor the child with “love, dignity and respect” and to show solidarity with the family and community shaken by the loss.

“This tragedy has touched mothers, fathers, aunties, uncles and grandparents across the region,” Medicine Wheel Ride said in a statement. “Today, we stand together for baby Melinko.”

Funeral arrangements are being handled on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

The post Infant’s death leads to murder charge first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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