Complaint: Grand Rapids couple accused of torturing children, including abusing, depriving them of food

The more than a dozen-page criminal complaint alleges that the couple from Grand Rapids, Minn., repeatedly abused the child, including physically harming the child and depriving the child of food.

Criminal complaints filed against Jameson Patrih Wahlstrom, 27, and Vivian Rose Wahlstrom, 24, both of Grand Rapids, show each was charged with one count of child abuse.

The complaints said the investigation began in early October after Itasca County investigators received a report of a child with bruises. During the conversation with the child, the police asked about the bruises and whether the child felt safe. The child said she “doesn’t want to talk about it” and “doesn’t want to be in trouble.”

The teacher told police that there were earlier reports that the same student had been beaten.

Grand Rapids police say they found video footage captured by a Google Nest camera that recorded incidents that include physical abuse, name-calling and more, dating back to early September.

The complaint goes on to say that the child was stepped on, kicked and beaten. At one point, one of the suspects tells the child, “I’m going to kill you,” according to the document, which goes on to say one of the suspects told police the child had eaten pieces of paint off the wall.

According to the complaint, the child was also left alone in a room with no toys and played with an empty McDonald’s box to keep himself busy.

Both Vivian and Jameson were scheduled to appear in court at 11 a.m. Friday.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS reporter Eric Shalou is following this story and will have updates during the evening newscasts.