A Chamberlain couple is facing felony child abuse charges following a fire in their apartment Monday. According to court documents first responders found smoke when they arrived and obtained a master key to get in.
They found a pan of rice burning on the stove and a man identified as 28 year old Tyler Harmon sitting in a chair apparently heavily intoxicated and unconscious. Responders heard a small child crying in the bedroom and found the infant laying on the floor, another 7 year old child laying on the bed and an adult female later identified as 28 year old Katrina Harmon unconscious on the bed. Officers found two empty whiskey bottles.
The children were taken to a hospital as a precaution. The 11 month old infant had a temperature of 102 degrees.
Tyler and Katrina Harmon were medically cleared and taken to the Brule County Jail. Tyler Harmon’s PBT was .216% and Katrina Harmon’s PBT .229%. They’re each charged with abuse or cruelty to a minor seven years or younger. Each count is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and or a $30,000 fine. Bond was set at $4,000 cash for each plus the 24/7 program and no contact with the victims. The children were placed in the custody of the department of social services.