MINNEAPOLIS – Bobbi Jo Johnson, also known as Bobbi Jo Kingbird, a 46-year-old resident of the Red Lake Indian Reservation, was convicted last week in federal court of abusing a boy who was in the foster care of her sister. Johnson was found guilty of one count of child neglect and one count of child endangerment, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The abuse occurred between 2021 and 2022 while the victim was in the care of Trina Mae Johnson.
Trina Mae Johnson has pleaded guilty to child torture, child endangerment, and assaulting a minor with a dangerous weapon. Court documents revealed that the abuse included starvation and forcing the boy to endure uncomfortable positions for extended periods. Three others — Ellie Mae Johnson, Patricia Ann Johnson, and Bertram Calvin Lussier Jr. — pleaded guilty to child endangerment in connection to this case. The investigation was conducted jointly by the FBI and the Red Lake Tribal Police Department. All five individuals convicted have yet to be sentenced.