Crime and Courts

FBI suspects mother in Big Horn County 3-year-old's death

Posted: Dec 21, 2012 10:32 PM by MTN News
Updated: Dec 21, 2012 10:33 PM

BILLINGS - Federal agents have released new information about the investigation into the death of 3-year-old Tenielle Big-Day.

The FBI says the girl was possibly thrown from a pickup truck by her mother Mary Leider near Hardin on December 3rd.

A search warrant was executed on Thursday night, and officials with the Bureau of Indian Affairs searched the 1999 Dodge pickup truck owned by 24-year old Leider.

The agents seized two jackets with red stains, took several swabs of red stains from the vehicle, and found a white substance inside the truck.

The warrant details accusations that Leider threw her 3-year old daughter Tenielle from the speeding truck.

The incident occurred on Highway 313 between Hardin and St. Xavier.

The court document gives details of interviews from Leider and her brother Wally Leider.

The report states that Mary was heading home from a night of partying with her two brothers and Tenielle.

Wally Leider told investigators that as he was driving, his sister opened the passenger door and threw her daughter out of the pickup.

The document also states that Mary Leider told investigators that she hit her head when her brother stopped the pickup and doesn't remember what happened to her daughter, who had been sitting on her lap.

Mary Leider was booked in the Yellowstone County Detention facility on an outstanding warrant and released three days later.

We will update you as we learn more.