Stepmom convicted in child torture case where victim ate paint chips, played with empty Happy Meal box

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (TCN) -- A stepmother has been convicted of torture of a child in connection with the abuse of her husband’s daughter. She was sentenced to 57 months in prison and received credit for the 433 days she has already spent behind bars.

KSTP reports Vivian Rose Wahlstrom, 25, and her husband, Jaymeson Patrich Wahlstrom, were arrested in December 2024 following an investigation bruising on a child. According to a criminal complaint obtained by the outlet, a teacher told authorities that the bruising had been reported.

During an initial exam, about 20 bruises were found on the child, consistent with being hit, WDIO reports. The child, whose name and age have not been released, was interviewed by investigators. She said she did not want to talk about it and did not want to get in trouble when asked if she felt safe. 

When the child’s father and stepmother were questioned about the bruising, Jaymeson Wahlstrom allegedly told investigators the child had “significant needs” and that he and his wife were attempting to get her started in therapy, AOL reports.

Police obtained Google Nest video of physical abuse and name-calling, according to KTSP. The child was stepped on, kicked, and hit, and left alone in a room without toys, and given an empty Happy Meal box to play with. According to police, the Wahlstroms said the child ate paint chips off the wall. In one video, investigators say the child’s father was allegedly seen kicking, hitting, and slamming her about 100 times in a single day.

The child was not given a blanket at night and food was withheld as a punishment, WDIO reports. Her room contained a urine-stained mattress with no bedding, according to the outlet. Vivian Wahlstrom reportedly said, “I’m going to kill you” while hitting the child.

According to AOL, Wahlstrom reportedly did not want to care for the child and said they should send her to boarding school; she threatened to file for divorce if her husband did not go along with the idea. 

AOL reports the other children in the home were taken into custody by child services and the Wahlstroms were charged with child torture on Dec. 19, 2024.

Itasca County Attorney Jake Fauchald said in a statement, “These heinous crimes are without precedent in Itasca County and rank highly amongst some of the most abominable child abuse cases ever encountered in Minnesota,” per KSTP.

Jaymeson Wahlstrom is facing the same charge and will appear in court on March 23, Law & Crime reports.

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