Former State Employee Arraigned for Falsifying Child Protective Services Reports

Northeast Radio SD News - Deadwood, SD - A former employee of the South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) was arraigned Tuesday in Lawrence County Circuit Court on multiple charges related to the falsification of investigative reports.

Nova Collins, 56, of Spearfish, faces four felony counts and one misdemeanor following an investigation by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office. The charges stem from Collins’ tenure with Child Protective Services (CPS) in early 2025.

According to Attorney General Marty Jackley, the specific charges against Collins include:

·        Forgery (Felony): Maximum sentence of five years in prison.

·        Offer of Forged or Fraudulent Evidence (Felony): Maximum sentence of five years in prison.

·        Falsification of Evidence (Felony): Maximum sentence of two years in prison.

·        Offering False or Forged Instrument for Filing (Felony): Maximum sentence of two years in prison.

·        Falsification of Public Records (Misdemeanor): Maximum sentence of one year in county jail.

The case is being handled by the Attorney General’s Public Integrity Program, a specialized unit within the Division of Criminal Investigation that investigates and prosecutes crimes involving public officials and government employees.

Jackley previously noted that this case is the first criminal prosecution resulting from Senate Bill 62, a 2025 mandate that established strict reporting requirements for suspected state employee misconduct and conflicts of interest.

Collins was released on a $500 bond following her Tuesday appearance. Her next court date is scheduled for February 17, 2025.

Under the U.S. Constitution, Collins is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.