Jamie L. Johnson, 44, and Raymond F. Johnson, 62, made their initial appearances in North Central District Court on Monday, Dec. 1, before Judge Gary Lee for the new child abuse cases. Raymond Johnson has been charged with one count of child abuse-victim under six, and Jamie Johnson has been charged with two counts of child abuse-victim under six and one count of child abuse in three separate cases.

According to court documents, the Johnsons were originally charged after an investigation into the death of a 3-year-old foster child in their home in Stanley on March 19. Bureau of Criminal Investigation Agent Keely Absalonson was asked to assist the investigation and began conducting interviews with the household members and reviewing home surveillance video footage recorded between Feb. 3 and March 19.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, both defendants denied in interviews that they ever observed the other engage in corporal punishment or hitting the three foster children and one daycare child in the home.

However, a statement from one of the children alleged the Johnsons hit the children on numerous occasions, that Jamie Johnson threw him into the wall and floor, choked him and hurt him so badly on several occasions she had to resuscitate him.

Jamie Johnson

According to court documents, a review of the home security footage documented numerous occasions which corroborated the child’s allegations. These included incidents in which the Johnsons were observed striking the children with their hands or fists, and Jamie Johnson was recorded kicking the children, and on one occasion striking the daycare child repeatedly with a cell phone.

Both Johnsons will remain in custody on $1 million bonds.

No trial date has been set in the murder case, and a preliminary hearing in the abuse cases has been scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 15.