Bemidji Man Faces Child Torture Charge
BEMIDJI, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — Thomas Jay Drift Sr., 56, faces five felony charges in Beltrami County District Court.
The charges follow a child protection investigation involving allegations from four children.
Drift is charged with child torture. That charge carries a maximum 25-year sentence and a $35,000 fine.
He also faces two third-degree assault charges involving an alleged pattern of child abuse.
Additional charges allege methamphetamine exposure and domestic assault by strangulation.
The alleged conduct occurred between June 30, 2023, and April 30, 2026.
Children Describe Repeated Abuse
The complaint says the children described repeated beatings with hands and household objects.
They reported injuries that included bruises, welts, burns, and breathing problems.
One child alleged Drift struck her with a frying pan and its broken handle.
Another alleged that he kicked her, pulled her hair, and threw hot coffee on her.
A child also described two strangulation incidents. One alleged incident happened in January 2026.
That child said she struggled to breathe and feared she would die.
Drug Exposure Allegations
The complaint says children reported seeing suspected drugs, foil, and tubes inside the home.
One child alleged Drift offered her drugs while he appeared intoxicated.
Prosecutors allege he knowingly allowed children to encounter methamphetamine or related items.
The filing also describes a deleted Facebook Messenger message sent to one child.
Investigators interpreted the message as asking the children to remain quiet about alleged abuse.
The complaint says the children were removed from Drift’s care in March 2026.
Court Case Remains Pending
The complaint lists court file 04-CR-26-1426 in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.
Public case information may appear through Minnesota Court Records Online.
The charges cite Minnesota laws covering child torture and third-degree assault.
Other cited laws cover methamphetamine exposure and domestic assault by strangulation.
A criminal complaint contains allegations and does not prove guilt.
Drift is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
TRF News will update this report as court information becomes available.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
