Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — A 65-year-old Bemidji woman is charged after deputies say a child was assaulted and kept in extreme filth inside a city home.
According to a criminal complaint, Nell Christine Rearick now faces three counts in Beltrami County District Court.
She is charged with child endangerment, contributing to the need for child protection services, and domestic assault.
The case stems from a reported domestic assault on December 9 at a house on 1st Street East in Bemidji.
Deputies Respond to Child Assault Report
Beltrami County Sheriff’s deputies went to the home after a report of domestic assault involving a child.
The complaint says a deputy arrived and found Rearick crying.
She reportedly told the deputy, “I’m sorry; I’ve never gotten this mad and didn’t mean to do it.”
Rearick said the child had a scheduled therapy appointment, but did not want to attend.
She told deputies the child talked back, and she slapped the girl across the face.
The complaint says the girl then kicked toward Rearick.
Rearick said she grabbed the child by the back of the hair and threw her to the kitchen floor.
The child told deputies the assault caused pain and fear.
She said the pain was worst when her hair was pulled and when she was thrown down.
The girl also said she had lived at the home for several years.
Deputy Reports Extreme Unsanitary Conditions
Inside the house, the deputy reported what he called severe unsanitary conditions.
According to the complaint, he saw a fresh pile of feces near the front door.
He noted an overwhelming smell of urine and feces that made his sinuses burn.
In the child’s bedroom, he saw animal feces and several cats moving through the room.
He also saw urine stains on the floors that again burned his sinuses and made his eyes water.
The complaint says large amounts of black mold covered areas of the ceiling and walls.
The deputy reported stains on the child’s bed that looked like they came from bed bugs or mold.
In another room, he saw a mound of cat feces soaked with urine.
He wrote that his throat and lungs started to burn after about fifteen minutes inside.
The deputy noted he does not have cat allergies and is not usually sensitive to smells.
Rearick Admits House “Was Getting Bad”
Rearick was arrested and advised of her Miranda rights.
According to the complaint, she admitted the home’s condition “was getting bad.”
She told deputies she expected law enforcement would come at some point.
Rearick said she is not disabled and is able to clean the house.
She also said she needs help from the child to keep the home clean.
Rearick told investigators she is retired and does not work outside the home.
The child was placed on a 72-hour protective hold with social services.
Child protection workers will now review the case and the home conditions.
Information on Minnesota child protection laws is available from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Possible Jail Time and Fines
Rearick faces possible jail time and fines if convicted on all counts.
Each gross misdemeanor charge carries a maximum of 364 days in jail or a $3,000 fine.
The misdemeanor domestic assault count carries up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine.
The case is filed in Beltrami County District Court.
Court dates will be set as the case moves forward.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
