LAKE ANDES, S.D. (AP) - Court documents allege that a couple facing charges in the death of a 2-year-old South Dakota girl used sleeping pills, methamphetamine and marijuana during the hours the girl's death went unreported.
Twenty-one-year-old Taylor Cournoyer and 28-year-old Laurie Cournoyer appeared in court Tuesday to face charges under a new state law that targets parents or guardians who fail to quickly report a child's death. They also are charged with abuse or cruelty to a minor.
Judge Patrick Kiner dismissed defense attorney arguments for a lower bond, leaving it at $500,000 cash.
Authorities say the 2-year-old rural Wagner girl died more than a day and a half before anyone called police.
The Cournoyers were taking care of the girl, whose death has been deemed a homicide.
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AP-WF-07-17-12 2000GMT
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