3-Year-Old Autistic Girl Fatally Beaten by Foster Parents Upset Over How She Chewed Food
Stanley, North Dakota: Police have charged Jamie Johnson, 44, and Raymond Johnson, 62, with murder and child abuse after their 3-year-old foster daughter died under suspicious circumstances. The child, believed to be autistic, suffered months of alleged physical abuse, primarily due to her eating habits.
According to police reports, the Johnsons subjected the girl to severe punishments for behaviors such as crying and taking too long to chew her food. The couple reportedly used closed-fist punches, kicks, and hair-pulling as forms of discipline. An affidavit revealed that the girl had been in their care for only a few months before her tragic death.
Witness accounts from other foster children in the home painted a disturbing picture. One child described Jamie as the “meanest one” among the foster parents, indicating a pattern of cruelty. The girl’s eating habits triggered frequent outbursts from Jamie, who expressed frustration in text messages to a friend. “Honestly, if I knew how she was I might not have taken her,” she reportedly said, referring to the child as a “total brat.”
In March, the Johnsons claimed the girl had fallen down a flight of stairs, leading to her unresponsive state. However, investigators uncovered evidence suggesting a much darker reality. Security footage captured Jamie physically assaulting the child, including punching her in the head and yanking her by the hair. The footage also showed Jamie using a wooden spoon to hit the girl on various parts of her body.
One particularly alarming incident involved the child biting Jamie’s hand in self-defense, which resulted in further violent retaliation. Reports indicate that the girl lost consciousness after a severe beating and required an ice pack to revive her.
Raymond Johnson, often referred to as the “nice one” by the other foster children, was also implicated in the abuse. He allegedly kicked the girl and struck her when he disapproved of her behavior. Both Jamie and Raymond Johnson are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on July 24, facing serious charges that could lead to significant prison time.
