CHILD ABUSE Archives - KVRR Local News

Foster couple charged in 3-year-old girl’s death

June 9, 2025

Alison Voorhees,

STANLEY, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — A Stanley, North Dakota couple is facing murder charges for the death of a 3-year-old foster girl with autism. Court records show that Jamie Johnson called 911 on March 19 after the girl became unresponsive. She was taken to Mountrail County Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy ruled the cause of death was…

Jamestown Woman Accused of Child Abuse At Unlicensed Daycare

May 11, 2025

TJ Nelson,

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (KVRR) — A Jamestown woman is arrested for alleged child abuse involving a victim under 6 years old. 55-year-old Deborah Jespersen is also accused of providing early childhood services after her license was revoked. The investigation began last month when a 6-month-old child suffered a fracture of the arm while under the care of an unlicensed childcare provider….

Fargo Couple Accuse of Child Abuse And Running Drug Trafficking Operation Out of Daycare

March 26, 2025

KVRR Staff,

FARGO (KFGO) – A Fargo couple are facing a list of charges following a year-long investigation for allegedly operating a drug trafficking operation out of their in-home daycare. Cara and Joshua Aus are charged with several felonies for drug possession, and child abuse and neglect. Court records say Fargo Police began investigating the couple in April 2024 after receiving a…

West Virginia couple convicted of forced labor, human trafficking of kids adopted in Minn.

January 30, 2025

KVRR Staff,

Donald Lantz, left, speaks with his attorney John Balenovich as his wife Jeanne Whitefeather, right, leaves the courtroom in Kanawha County Circuit Court in Charleston, W.Va. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Christopher Millette/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP)CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia couple accused of neglect and forced labor involving their adopted children was convicted by a jury on Wednesday after eight…

Belcourt woman sentenced for child abuse, assault

November 14, 2024

KVRR Staff,

FARGO (KVRR-KFGO) – A woman from the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in northern North Dakota will spend just over four years in federal prison for child abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon, and malicious mischief. The US Justice Department says 42-year-old Rhawnie Marcellais of Belcourt injured her daughter by throwing an empty beer bottle at the girl and hitting her…

St. Michael man pleads guilty to child abuse resulting in death

October 9, 2024

KVRR Staff,

FARGO (KVRR-KFGO) – A 29-year-old man from St. Michael has pleaded guilty to child abuse in the death of a one-year-old on the Spirit Lake Reservation. In February 2023, Collin Delorme’s co-defendant called 9-1-1 to report a child was not breathing. The child died at the hospital in Devils Lake. The medical examiner determined the cause of death was battery…

Unlicensed Child Care Operator Sentenced For Baby’s Murder

April 10, 2024

KVRR Staff,

NEW ROCKFORD, N.D. (KVRR/AP) — A Jamestown woman is sentenced to 20 years in prison in connection with the death of a baby and injury of another boy that authorities tied to her unlicensed home child care center. Patricia Wick pleaded guilty in January to felony charges of murder and child abuse and a misdemeanor of operating an unlicensed day…

Five People Indicted on Child Abuse Charges on Red Lake Indian Reservation

January 30, 2023

KVRR Staff,

BEMIDJI, Minn. (KVRR) — Five people are indicted for multiple child abuse charges including torture and neglect on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. According to court documents, 40-year-old Trina Johnson directed the torture, neglect and abuse of a child in her custody through foster care. The abuse happening between January 1, 2021 and April 29, 2022. Four others are accused…

State audit faults social workers for not checking on child abuse victims

August 17, 2022

Jim Monk,

FARGO (KVRR-KFGO) – Some North Dakota social workers aren’t checking on suspected victims of child abuse in a timely manner – even in the most critical cases, according to an audit of the North Dakota Human Services Dept. Human services workers are required to check on potential victims for whom there could be substantial risk of death or sexual abuse…

Child Abuse Prevention Month shines a light on local issues

It's Child Abuse Prevention Month and doctors who work in Sanford Health's Traumatic Treatment Center say child abuse is a serious issue in North Dakota.

April 29, 2022

Site Staff,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – It’s Child Abuse Prevention Month and doctors who work in Sanford Health’s Traumatic Treatment Center say child abuse is a serious issue in North Dakota. According to the health system, in 2020 there were almost 2,000 confirmed child abuse cases with several deaths. Experts say COVID has a negative impact and they saw some of their…