A North Dakota couple has been formally charged with murder following the death of their three-year-old foster daughter, who had autism. Raymond F. Johnson, 62, and Jamie L. Johnson, 44, appeared remotely in court Monday as harrowing details of the case were made public.
Emergency responders were called to the Johnsons’ home in Stanley on March 19 after Jamie Johnson reported the child was unresponsive. The toddler was rushed to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 6:31 p.m. Jamie initially told investigators that the girl had fallen down the stairs days earlier and had bitten her while Johnson tried to remove food from her mouth.
However, according to a criminal affidavit, the child had sustained extensive bruising, lacerations, and facial trauma, which raised serious red flags for authorities. Jamie also claimed the child, who had autism, often scratched herself and hit her head against walls, causing injuries. But medical and law enforcement officials quickly questioned that explanation, KMOT reported.
Raymond Johnson told investigators he last saw the child asleep on the couch and heard her making “whimpering noises” before he left for work. A preliminary autopsy later determined the cause of death to be “inflicted blunt force trauma to the head,” and the manner of death was ruled “homicide.”
The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation took over the case, uncovering deeply disturbing evidence through Ring doorbell footage obtained from the Johnsons’ home. According to a special agent’s affidavit, the footage showed Jamie Johnson “striking and punching Jane Doe in the face multiple times with an open and closed hand.”
She also allegedly hit the child with a cell phone and violently pulled her up by the hair, causing her to strike her head on the floor. After the child reportedly bit Jamie’s finger, Raymond Johnson can be seen on video kicking the child in the lower back, the affidavit states. Investigators interviewed other children in the home, who described a pattern of abuse.
One child reportedly said Jamie was the primary abuser while Raymond was the “nice one.” The couple faces multiple felony charges, including Class AA felony murder involving a child victim, Class A felony child abuse causing permanent impairment to a child under six, and Class B felony domestic violence resulting in serious injury to a child under 12.
At Monday’s hearing, Mountrail County State’s Attorney Wade Enget requested a $1 million cash or surety bond for each defendant, citing the severity of the crimes and flight risk. Raymond did not contest the amount; Jamie requested a lower bond, claiming she needed to secure legal counsel. Judge Gary Lee upheld the $1 million bond for both but said Jamie’s request could be revisited. Both are scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on July 24. If convicted of the felony murder charge, they face life imprisonment.