FORT TOTTEN, N.D. (AP) – The Bureau of Indian Affairs plans to take control of social service programs for the Spirit Lake Tribe following criticism that the tribe has failed to protect endangered children, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven’s office said.

The BIA informed Hoeven’s office about the decision Friday afternoon, according to a Forum newspaper story published Saturday. Hoeven had called for a review of the tribe’s social services program.

“BIA’s informed our office that they will be taking over the tribal social services,” said Ryan Bernstein, Hoeven’s deputy chief of staff and legal counsel. “I was told that the tribe passed a resolution today ceding it back to the BIA, basically giving it to the government to run.”

Federal officials have accused tribal officials of repeatedly ignoring reports of child abuse and neglect. Complaints have come from Thomas Sullivan, regional administrator for the U.S. Administration for Children and Families, and Michael Tilus, a former behavioral health director at the Indian Health Service clinic in Fort Totten.

Tribal Chairman Roger Yankton says most problems predate his administration.

Details of the transition weren’t immediately available. A BIA spokeswoman and Yankton were not available to comment about the takeover.

The decision means the federal government will administer the social services for the tribe. The tribe had been running the programs under contract with the BIA, which provides funding.

Yvonne LaRockque, the self-determination officer for the BIA’s Great Plains Region, which includes North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska, said a BIA takeover of programs it contracted with a tribe to administer happens about once or twice a year.