Relatives provide reporter tip that leads to suspect’s location, arrest

A former South Sioux City woman was arrested this week in connection with the 2006 death of her former foster child, Nathaniel Saunsoci-Mitchell.

The woman, Tisha Vega, had been wanted since July for a charge of manslaughter.

The Journal had been trying to track Vega down for about a month, which is when my editor asked me to do a follow-up story on the investigation into the 20-month-old toddler’s death.

This request was actually prompted by the Feb. 18 death of Tryniti Jo Hill, whose father has been charged with causing her injuries. It seemed like an appropriate time to revisit the Saunsoci-Mitchell investigation.

However, it was extremely difficult to get information from Nebraska authorities about the status of the Sauncoci-Mitchell investigation. I made two trips to the Omaha Indian Reservation and talked to the little boy’s relatives, who were upset and hurt that nothing had been done.

They, like us, had no idea an arrest warrant had been issued for Tisha Vega.

However, one of Nathaniel’s relatives provided the critical information that helped the Journal track Vega down. This person was floored police couldn’t find Vega, saying the woman had just recently sold her house in South Sioux City.

After all, the money had to be sent somewhere.

Sure enough, the relative was correct and the Vegas listed a Pennsylvania address in public records relating to the sale.

After investigating to see if the Vegas were likely still at that address, the Journal provided information to Dakota County sheriff’s deputies, who worked with Pennsylvania authorities to have Vega arrested.

Police say she has not waived extradition.