A North Dakota couple, Jamie Johnson, 44, and Raymond Johnson, 62, are facing charges of murder, child abuse, and domestic violence following the death of their 3-year-old foster daughter, who they believed had special needs. The couple allegedly subjected the child to months of physical abuse due to her crying and slow eating habits, according to the Stanley Police Department.
The child, who had been in the Johnsons’ care for only a few months, was reportedly subjected to a series of punishments including punches, kicks, and hair-pulling. The couple’s other foster children told investigators that Jamie Johnson would often become enraged by the toddler’s eating habits and would physically assault her.
The child was reportedly disciplined for actions such as leaving food in her mouth, according to one of the Johnsons’ other foster children. Text messages from Jamie Johnson revealed her frustration with the child, whom she referred to as a “total brat”. She also expressed her belief that the child was possibly autistic.
In March, the Johnsons took the unresponsive child to the hospital, claiming she had fallen down a flight of stairs. However, the couple’s other foster children and home security footage painted a different picture of the events leading up to the child’s hospitalization.
Raymond Johnson, who was described by the other foster children as “the nice one”, is also accused of physically abusing the child. One of the children warned investigators to be wary of Jamie Johnson, describing her as the “meaner” of the two.
Security footage from the home showed the child being punched in the head and dragged around by her hair. Other alleged punishments included being hit with a wooden spoon and having her mouth covered while she cried. On one occasion, the child bit Jamie Johnson’s hand in resistance, which resulted in further physical assault.
The severity of the abuse escalated to the point where the child lost consciousness and had to be revived with an ice pack, according to the other foster children. Despite being considered the “nicer” parent, Raymond Johnson is also accused of physically assaulting the child.
The Johnsons are due back in court for a preliminary hearing on July 24, as reported by KMOT.