Minnesota Girl Rescued From Urine-Soaked Room — Stepmom Charged For Abuse

A Minnesota stepmother has pleaded guilty to torturing her elementary school-aged daughter after authorities discovered severe abuse inside the family home, including a mattress soaked with urine and more than 100 bruises covering the child’s body.

The girl was also repeatedly physically abused by her father, according to an arrest affidavit.

The case sent shockwaves through the community, with prosecutors calling it “one of the most abominable child abuse cases ever encountered” in the state, The Mirror US reported.

Vivian Rose Wahlstrom, 25, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison and received credit for the 433 days she had already served. Her husband, Jaymeson Patrick Wahlstrom, 28, the victim’s father, also faces charges and is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on March 23.

The abuse was captured on a camera in the child’s room. According to court records, the father told the police they would be “surprised when watching the video footage and things that they will find.”

The Grand Rapids Police Department began the investigation in October 2024 after the child appeared in school with a large black and yellow bruise on her upper right arm. After officers spoke with the girl, she revealed the abuse she had allegedly suffered at the hands of her father. The disclosure led investigators to Vivian Rose Wahlstrom and Jaymeson Patrick Wahlstrom.

The couple claimed the child had “significant needs” and said they were trying to get her into therapy but faced long waiting lists, according to the affidavit.

Investigator's reported that the girl’s room had a bare, urine-stained mattress on the floor, one blanket, a pile of dirty dishes with moldy food on them, and a TV, according to the affidavit. Other rooms in the home allegedly contained urine, dog waste, dirty clothing, and garbage.

During questioning, Jaymeson Wahlstrom told investigators the girl was his daughter from a previous relationship. He and his current wife share two other biological children.

According to court records, he said he felt burdened caring for the child and claimed his wife was not interested in raising her, suggesting she be sent to a boarding school and threatening divorce.

Authorities said ,he admitted to punishing the girl by starving her, giving her paint chips and providing an empty McDonald’s Happy Meal box for her to play with, according to Law&Crime.

The girl was confined to her room. Her parents allegedly told her to “lie right” by lying on her back with her hands at her side. If she moved, they would yell at her to return to that position. She was allegedly told to “go to bed” at all times of the day and only allowed to leave her room if she had to go to the bathroom.

In one video from the girl’s room, her father is seen yelling at her, “Get in your room before I f—ing kill you,” according to the affidavit.

“Until you have some words to say, you will not be going to school, you will not be getting food, you won’t be getting anything but your bed and the toilet,” Jaymeson Wahlstrom allegedly screamed. “You better f—ing think of some meaningful words for your mom or she won’t take care of you anymore.”

Prosecutors filed child torture charges against Vivian Rose Wahlstrom and Jaymeson Patrick Wahlstrom on December 19, 2024. Child protective services later took custody of the three children.