A mother and father are facing charges of child torture in a case described as one of the most horrific instances of abuse ever encountered in Minnesota. The couple, both in their twenties, allegedly subjected their elementary-school-aged daughter to ongoing physical and emotional abuse, much of which was captured on in-home surveillance cameras.
The investigation began in early October when the child appeared at school with a large bruise on her upper arm. Upon questioning, the girl revealed that her father had caused the injury. Further medical examinations uncovered at least 20 bruises across her body, including her arms, ribs, face, and thighs. These findings prompted authorities to visit the family home, where they discovered deplorable living conditions. The child’s room contained only a bare, urine-stained mattress, a single blanket, and a pile of dirty dishes with moldy food. Other parts of the house were similarly unsanitary, with garbage, dirty clothing, and animal waste scattered throughout.
The father admitted to authorities that the girl was his daughter from a previous relationship and claimed his wife had no interest in caring for her. He described punitive measures he used, including withholding food, and acknowledged that the girl resorted to eating paint chips. She reportedly played with an empty Happy Meal box as she had no toys.
Videos from the girl’s room painted a harrowing picture of her daily life. She was often left alone for extended periods and forced to adhere to strict, dehumanizing rules. The parents would take away her blanket as punishment and demand she lie on her back with her hands at her sides. Any deviation from this position resulted in yelling and further punishment. The girl was confined to her room for most of the day and only allowed out to use the bathroom. On one occasion, the mother was recorded screaming at the child to return to her room or face deadly consequences.
The father recounted an especially brutal incident shortly before his arrest. After learning that the girl had allegedly disrespected her stepmother, he subjected her to a day-long assault. Surveillance footage showed him hitting her nearly 100 times, punching, slapping, kicking, and slamming her against the wall. He also forcibly removed her clothing during the attack. Throughout this ordeal, the mother reportedly encouraged the violence, further berating the child alongside her husband.
In one instance captured on video, the father can be heard yelling at his daughter, threatening to withhold food, education, and basic necessities until she offered what he deemed “meaningful words” of apology to her stepmother. The abuse was described as unrelenting and compounded by the emotional toll of constant beratement and threats.
The charges against the couple were filed in December, and child services have since taken custody of all three children in the household. The case has drawn widespread condemnation and serves as a grim reminder of the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable children.
