Former state employee accused of stealing $1.8 million from Child Protection Services
An Iowa woman who formerly worked for the South Dakota Department of Social Services is accused of stealing an estimated $1.8 million from the department’s Division of Child Protection Services over the course of 13 years.
Lonna Carroll, 68, of Algona, Iowa, is charged with two felony counts of aggravated grand theft. She was arrested Wednesday in Iowa and is awaiting extradition to South Dakota. Bond has been set at $50,000.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced the charges Thursday.
A news release from Jackley said Carroll “had control of the funds” while she worked for Child Protection Services. Jackley said the alleged theft occurred between 2010 and 2023, and was discovered by the Department of Social Services. The state state Division of Criminal Investigation and Department of Legislative Audit led the investigation.
An initial court appearance for Carroll has not yet been scheduled in Hughes County court in Pierre. The maximum sentence for the first count is 25 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. The maximum sentence for the second count is 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.
