Five people have been indicted for multiple child abuse charges including child torture and child neglect.
According to court documents, Trina Mae Johnson, (49) Bertram Calvin Lussier, Jr., (42) and Johnson’s three sisters, Bobbi Jo Johnson, (44) Ellie Mae Johnson, (47) and Patricia Ann Johnson (39) all regularly assumed responsibility for all or a portion of the care and supervision of the minor victim.
Trina Johnson is accused of directing the torture, endangerment, neglect, and abuse of a child who was in Johnson’s legal custody through a foster care placement. She has been charged with one count of child torture, one count of child neglect, deprivation of food and health care, one count of child endangerment and one count of assault on a minor with a dangerous weapon. Bobbi Johnson, Ellie Johnson, Patricia Johnson, and Lussier, were each charged with one count of child neglect, deprivation of food and health care, and one count of child endangerment.
Authorities say the abuse included withholding food from the victim to the point of starvation, forcing the victim to stand in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time, and assaulting the victim in various ways between January 1st, 2021, and April 29th, 2022.
Trina Johnson, Bobbi Johnson, Patricia Johnson, and Lussier all made their initial appearances Friday, January 27th, in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Jon T. Huseby.
Ellie Johnson is scheduled to make her initial appearance in U.S. District Court before a Magistrate Judge at a later date.
