Pennington County (trfnews.i234.me) – Authorities in Pennington County responded to a harrowing scene on the morning of July 20, 2025, after receiving a chilling 911 call reporting that a child’s throat had been cut at a rural residence near Thief River Falls.
Deputies arrived to find a vehicle parked at the end of the driveway containing several juveniles, all of whom were confirmed to be physically unharmed. As they approached the home, they encountered Edwina Marie Stoutenburgh, 34, standing outside in minimal clothing. Given the severity of the call, Stoutenburgh was detained in handcuffs—responding officers noted she told them, “Don’t take them off.”
Stoutenburgh reportedly made repeated statements that “they” made her do certain things. When questioned further, she identified “they” as demons, naming them Bondage and Infirmity. She was transported to the emergency room, where she gave a disturbing confession to law enforcement.
According to her statement, Stoutenburgh claimed she awoke that morning possessed by demons. She said they forced her to eat dog feces and the eyeball of a recently euthanized duck, which the family had put down the day prior. She then claimed the demons told her to kill her children, her husband, and herself, and to drink her son’s blood.
Stoutenburgh admitted to retrieving a kitchen knife and entering her son’s bedroom, where he lay sleeping. She said she attempted to cut his throat but the knife was too dull. After failing to complete the act, she claimed the voices instructed her to sharpen the blade. As she prepared to return upstairs, she said her other children began panicking. Stoutenburgh allegedly told them she was going to kill them too but eventually handed them car keys so they could escape.
Deputies later found a severed duck head on a cutting board, a bloodied spoon, and a knife with apparent blood in the kitchen sink. Her husband, who had been at work during the incident, told investigators he had received a frantic call from his wife, during which she said she was being overtaken by demons and urged him to call police.
The child victim—identified as Victim 1—confirmed to investigators that Stoutenburgh had attempted to cut his throat while he was in bed. He had visible marks on his neck.
Stoutenburgh now faces serious felony charges, including Attempted Second-Degree Murder and Second-Degree Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. The case is currently under further investigation.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.