Former foster mom pleads not guilty in boy's death

By Dolly A. Butz

DAKOTA CITY -- A former South Sioux City woman has pleaded not guilty to a charge of manslaughter in connection with the 2006 death of her foster child.

Tisha Vega, 34, was arraigned on the class 3 felony Monday in Dakota County District Court. She is accused of killing 20-month-old Nathaniel Saunsoci-Mitchell.

Dressed in a white collared shirt, Vega sat next to her attorney, John Loos, and listened as Judge William Binkard read her rights.

When asked how she would plead to the charges, Vega clearly answered, "Not guilty."

Vega's trial is scheduled to begin July 23. She is free on bond.

Nathaniel suffered a broken leg and clavicle and a dog bite on his face while in Vega's home and died of a nonaccidental head injury. The Omaha Tribe placed Nathaniel, whose parents are tribal members, in Vega's home. He was one of 10 children in the household, five of whom were foster children.

She was arrested in Oaks, Pa., in March on a manslaughter warrant after the Journal shared her address with Dakota County authorities. She voluntarily waived extradition to Nebraska.