How Could You? Hall of Shame-Raven Thompson case, Zane Thompson and Two Other Children-Child Death UPDATED
This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.
From Fargo, North Dakota, “Aaron Thompson of Fargo was looking for answers a week after he found out his 5-year-old daughter Raven died in foster care on the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation in northeast North Dakota.
“They know who it is,” he said during a vigil attended by about 25 people in front of the federal courthouse in downtown Fargo Wednesday night, May 13.
“Why isn’t anything being done?” asked the 33-year-old father of four. “It sickens and saddens me that these people are out running about. I’m worried for other kids.”
Amanda Vivier feels the same way. The leader of a city task force addressing the issue of missing and murdered indigenous people and a Native American spiritual adviser said she helped organize the vigil to try to help Thompson.
Even though he didn’t have custody of the children, she said, he was still a parent.
After they learned a forensic investigation into the case hadn’t even been started as of Wednesday, Vivier said, she became even more concerned.
“A lot of these cases on the reservations become cold cases, and the FBI doesn’t do a thorough investigation,” she said.
Amid the uncertainty and sadness, Thompson learned that his 7-year-old son, Zane, who was also in the same foster home, was “doing well” in the intensive care unit at Sanford Children’s Hospital.
He still had not been allowed to see his boy, but was hoping to on Thursday.
Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney for North Dakota Drew Wrigley said late Wednesday afternoon that there were no updates on the death investigation.
“It’s a top-level priority,” he said. “I don’t drag my feet in a situation like this.”
He said the FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs and two attorneys form his office are working on the case, conducting interviews and gathering time-sensitive information. No charges were filed as of Wednesday night.
Because of concerns from others on the reservation, Wrigley said they have been assured by the tribal social services agency that other children about whom tribal members were worried have been removed from the situation.
Generally, Wrigley said, his office is unable to confirm or deny the existence of an investigation, but he said this case is a clear exception where information needs to be released to reassure the public that an investigation is being conducted.
FBI spokesperson Kevin Smith verified earlier this week that the case is classified as a death investigation.
Tribal Chairperson Peggy Cavanaugh said Wednesday she couldn’t comment on the investigation, although she wanted to express the tribe’s sympathies to the families involved.
Vivier added there was “something wrong with the system” because of the delay in answers. She said she had been making numerous calls on the state and national level and to the FBI in the case.
Thompson believes there are serious problems on the reservation.
“There’s too much wrongdoing going on there. We need some help up there,” he said.
Thompson has been in trouble with the law, and that’s why he doesn’t have custody of his children. He spent 22 months in jail recently, but was hoping to earn custody back next month when he completed parole.
As for now, Vivier said Thompson deserves more answers, and that would help him receive at least some closure on the death of his daughter.
Thompson has two other daughters, ages 8 and 14, who are living with family members. ”
A week after his daughter died in foster care, Fargo father seeks answers
[In Forum 5/13/2020 by Barry Amundson]
REFORM Puzzle Piece
Update:” The foster parents of a 5-year-old girl who died at the Spirit Lake Reservation were arrested Friday night on a federal complaint.
Erich Longie, 42, and Tammy Longie, 45, are currently in the Grand Forks County Correctional Center in connection to the death of Raven Thompson, according to U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley.
Raven, 5, reportedly died on May 6.
Jail staff said agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation brought her foster parents in on Friday at around 9 p.m.
The Grand Forks jail is used to house federal inmates.
The Longie’s were the foster parents of both Raven, and Zane Thompson, 7, after receiving the siblings from Spirit Lake Social Services, according to their father Aaron Thompson Jr.
Wrigley said the couple will be charged with murder and an immediate arrests had to be made.
The FBI is the lead agency investigating the death of Raven.
Thompson told Valley News Live on Saturday that the arrest brings some closure, but the “death still hurts.”
He previously told us that Zane was at Sanford Hospital in Fargo being interviewed by investigators and treated for unknown injuries.
According to the US Attorney, this case remains very active and is still in the initial phases.
The Longie’s will appear before a federal judge next week. ”
[Valley News Live 5/17/2020 by Joshua Perguero]
“U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley says he expects additional charges in the death of a 5-year-old girl from the Spirit Lake Reservation as the investigation continues.
Wrigley spoke Monday evening in front of the federal courthouse in Fargo.
The foster parents of Raven Thompson, 5, were arrested Friday night in connection to her death.
Erich Longie Jr., 42, and Tammy Longie, 45, were charged with several counts of assault, but not murder, according to court documents.
When asked why the parents weren’t charged with murder, Wrigley said these were charges they could be immediately arrested on and the charges could change as the investigation continues.”
US Attorney says more people could be arrested in death of 5-year-old Spirit Lake girl
[Valley News Live 5/18/2020 by Joshua Perguero]
Update 2:“Foster parents Erich Longie Jr. and Tammy Longie were ordered to remain incarcerated while they await trial. They are accused of assaulting four children who were in their care, including 5-year-old Raven Thompson, who died from her injuries on May 6.
Erich Longie Jr.’s head hung and Tammy Longie’s sobs could be heard throughout the courtroom on Thursday, May 21, as FBI Special Agent Jerrod Birchler described to the court the injuries that led to the death of their foster child, 5-year-old Raven Thompson.
Thompson was found dead at the Longies’ residence on May 6 with evidence of recent and longer-term blunt force trauma to her head, neck, chest, stomach and extremities, Birchler said. As part of the ensuing investigation, three other children were discovered to have injuries medical professionals called consistent with abuse, and a total of seven children, ages 11 months to 12 years, were removed from the home. The Longies were arrested by the FBI in connection with Thompson’s death at a family member’s Tokio residence on May 15, Birchler said.
The Longies each face two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and two counts of simple assault. At their preliminary hearing and detention hearing Thursday, their respective attorneys argued in favor of electronic home monitoring as they await their trial, stating that they each had very minimal criminal history, strong ties to the area and had expressed no intent to flee. Taking into account the seriousness of the crimes of which they are accused and the fact they have received a number of death threats on social media, U.S. Magistrate Judge Alice Senechal ordered both Longies remain incarcerated.
Christopher Lancaster, the public defender representing Tammy Longie, urged Senechal to reconsider her decision to take into account the threats made against the Longies, saying that the Longies should not be penalized for the actions of others. Senechal let her order stand.
Birchler, called as a witness during the preliminary hearing to establish probable cause that the defendants had committed the alleged crimes, said that the two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury are for the injuries sustained by Raven and her brother Zane, 7, who was also found injured in a vehicle belonging to the Longies by a Spirit Lake Social Services investigator. Zane was taken to CHI St. Alexius Health in Devils Lake and then taken by air ambulance to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, where he spent nearly a week in the Intensive Care Unit. Birchler said Zane remains in inpatient care at Sanford.
Two other children, ages 6 and 8, who Birchler described as biologically related to Longie Jr., also disclosed abuse in forensic interviews following the incident. A third child, age 12, said she had not witnessed any abuse in the home, but that Raven was sick for several days before her death, unable to walk or sit up, and that no medical care was sought, Birchler told the court. The Longies also were interviewed in their home on May 10, which Birchler described as cluttered but clean. Birchler said that, when interviewed by law enforcement May 10, the Longies were not mirandized, did not have attorneys present and were not taken into custody.
Sometime after that interview was conducted, the Longies left their residence to stay with family a few miles away, according to Birchler, who said, that after receiving death threats, they felt “fearful” in their home, which also led Tammy Longie to attempt to obtain a firearm. Birchler said that, while the Longies themselves did not report the threats to law enforcement, a number of other family members and third parties did.
When FBI, BIA and Fort Totten police arrived at the Longies’ residence with arrest warrants on May 15 and found no one home, they went to the family members’ residence, where the Longies’ vehicles and three adult children had recently been seen. No one answered their knocks at that residence, either, though male and female voices could be heard inside, Birchler recalled. He said about 25 minutes later, three cars with additional family members arrived at the residence. Birchler said that they informed the homeowner that, if the Longies were inside, she could be charged with harboring a fugitive. After the family members went inside, the Longies came outside a short time later and were arrested, Birchler said.
Following the removal of the Longies’ biological and foster children from the home, Spirit Lake Social Services issued a no-contact directive, restricting the Longies from having contact with any of the children. Birchler said he believes Tammy knowingly violated that directive by providing one of the children with a cell phone. Text and Facebook messages between Tammy and the child show screenshots of the threats on social media and also messages from Tammy acknowledging she was not supposed to be talking with the child and encouraging the child to tell the truth during the forensic interview. Birchler said he did not believe Erich Longie Jr. had attempted to violate the no-contact directive.
United States Attorney Lori Conroy called the details of the case “horrific.”
“They were acting as foster parents,” Conroy said. “They volunteered and were entrusted with the care of not just children, but of vulnerable children.”
The Longies each face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted for assault resulting in serious bodily injury, the more serious of the four charges. A subsequent court date has yet to be set in the case. ”
FBI agent discloses new details in death of Spirit Lake foster child
[Grand Forks Herald 5/21/2020 by Hannah Shirley]
Update 3:“Fire has destroyed a home that belongs to the foster parents of a 5-year-old girl who was killed on the Spirit Lake Reservation.
FBI spokesman Kevin Smith says the home belonged to Erich and Tammy Longie. The Longie’s remain in federal custody in connection with the death of Raven Thompson.
The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is leading the fire investigation. When asked if the fire is considered suspicious, the ATF’s Ashlee Sherill said that there are “questions” regarding its origin.
Sherill tells KFGO News that it will likely take several days to determine the cause of the fire.”
Fire Destroys Home of Foster Parents Charged in Childs Death
[KFGO 5/22/2020 by Jim Monk]
Update 4:“A grand jury has indicted Erich and Tammy Longie on a first-degree murder charge following the death of a foster child they were caring for.
“It’s jarring to go through that evidence,” said North Dakota U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley as he described the five-page indictment that shed new light on the death of five-year-old Raven Thompson.
Previously released court papers described the girl as lifeless in the days leading up to her death.
“We are alleging an ongoing course of conduct,” Wrigley said.
The indictment paperwork suggests the abuse started shortly after Raven was placed in the Longie home by Spirit Lake Social Services last July. An FBI agent testified Raven had injuries all over her body.
While it’s not exactly clear what happened to her, the indictment includes information regarding the alleged abuse of her seven-year-old brother Zane, who was also living in the home.
Prosecutors allege he was hit with hands, shoes, sticks and a paddle, and that other children were also kicked in the home.
“Young children, who are largely incapable of defending themselves,” are being hurt by people who have been trusted to care for them, Wrigley commented.
The Longies were originally only charged with assault, but Wrigley said his office was able to upgrade the charges because of tips developed from his courthouse press conference days after the murder. He would not comment if any other arrests may be made. Several adults were living in the home.
“More and more people recognize they got something of interest, they have information, something of interest to investigators,” he said. ”
Spirit Lake foster parents charged with murder
[The Dickinson Press 6/18/2020 by Matt Henson]
Update 5:“A Tokio, N.D., man accused of murdering his 5-year-old foster child pleaded not guilty to five associated charges in federal court on Monday afternoon, June 29.
Erich Longie Jr., 42, faces a mandatory life sentence if convicted of murdering Raven Thompson, 5, who was in the care of Erich and Tammy Longie, 45, until her death on May 6. The indictment alleges that Raven was killed with malice aforethought as part of a pattern of assault. Erich also faces a maximum fine of $250,000 for the first degree murder charge.
He also faces three counts of child abuse in Indian Country, which each carry a maximum sentence of life in prison and a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison with a maximum fine of $250,000 if convicted, and one count of child neglect in Indian Country, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, if convicted.
Tammy, who was arraigned on Wednesday, June 24, faces identical charges.
In addition to Raven, three other children are identified as victims of abuse in the indictment, including her brother Zane Thompson, 7, who was also in the Longies’ care. The other two children, identified only by their initials, are aged 6 and 8. A total of seven children were removed from the Longies’ residence following Raven’s death.
An FBI agent previously testified that abuse of the Thompson children appeared to have begun shortly after they were placed with the Longies in July. A preliminary autopsy report found blunt force trauma on Raven’s head, neck, chest, stomach and extremities. Previous testimony disclosed that Raven was sick for several days before her death, and that she was unable to walk or sit up.
Following Raven’s death, a Spirit Lake Social Services investigator also found Zane injured inside a vehicle belonging to the Longies. Zane was taken by air ambulance to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, where he spent a week in the Intensive Care Unit. The indictment alleges that the Longies either hit Zane with hands, sticks, shoes and a paddle, or allowed him to be hit. The indictment also alleges they failed to provide proper care to Zane.
The indictment similarly alleges that the Longies either hit the other two child victims, or allowed them to be hit.
Both Erich and Tammy’s trials have tentatively been set to begin on Tuesday, Aug. 11. The trials are expected to last five to seven days. ”
Trial dates set for foster parents accused of murdering 5-year-old girl
[Grand Forks Herald 6/29/2020 by Hannah Shirley]
Update 6:“A Tokio, N.D., man who was accused in 2020 of killing a 5-year-old foster child who was in his care, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on Tuesday, March 30, to a charge of first-degree felony murder.
Erich Longie Jr., 43, also pleaded guilty to four other charges stemming from the death of 5-year-old Raven Thompson, including three counts of child abuse in Indian Country and one count of child neglect in Indian Country.
The non-murder charges relate to three other children who were in Longie’s care in addition to Raven Thompson, including her brother, Zane Thompson.
A pre-sentence investigation was ordered, and court officials indicated Tuesday that a sentencing hearing will be held at a future date, possibly in August or September.
The murder charge Longie pleaded guilty to carries a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison.
He entered the guilty pleas as part of an agreement that involves the prosecution supporting favorable adjustments in the computation of Longie’s base offense level for his sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Conroy said Tuesday she will present the court with the government’s recommended sentence at the time Erich Longie is sentenced.
Longie’s wife and co-defendant, Tammy Longie, is scheduled to stand trial in federal court on June 29 on charges identical to those her husband pleaded guilty to on Tuesday.
According to court records and information provided during Erich Longie’s plea hearing Tuesday, Tammy Longie reported the death of Raven Thompson on May 6, 2020, and authorities found the girl’s body on a concrete floor in the basement of the couple’s Tokio home.
Medical workers told authorities the girl had bruising over much of her body, and she was very dehydrated at the time of her death.
Court records also indicate that after the girl’s body was found a social services investigator found her brother, Zane Thompson, 7, in the back of an SUV at the couple’s residence.
Information provided during Tuesday’s plea hearing indicated the boy was hospitalized for more than a month for various injuries and health issues, including heart failure determined to be caused by malnutrition.
Two of the charges Erich Longie pleaded guilty to Tuesday related to the abuse and neglect of Zane Thompson, while two other charges he pleaded guilty to related to the abuse of two other children, who were 6 and 8 at the time, according to court records.
In all, seven children were removed from the Longies’ residence following Raven Thompson’s death, according to court records.”
Spirit Lake man pleads guilty to murder in death of foster child
[The Dickinson Press 3/31/21 by David Olson]
Update 7:“A federal judge has sentenced a Tokio man to life in prison for his role in the death of a five-year-old foster child in his care in May 2020.
Federal prosecutors said Erich Longie, Jr. pleaded guilty to first-degree felony murder within Indian country, as well as three counts of child abuse in Indian Country, and one count of child neglect in Indian Country.
Prosecutors said that FBI and BIA agents responded to the home of Erich and Tammy Longie on the Spirit Lake Reservation on May 6, 2020, and found the body of the five-year-old child in the basement.
Investigators said they observed bruising throughout the child’s body, and the child’s death was ruled a homicide.
Another child in the home had to be hospitalized for more than a month due to abuse and malnutrition.
Spirit Lake Tribal Social Services had placed the children in the Longie’s care in July 2019.
Investigators said two biological children also suffered abuse.
Tammy Longie pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, along with three counts of child abuse in Indian country, and one count of child neglect in Indian country, and will be sentenced Aug. 9.”
Life sentence for Tokio man in death of foster child
[KFYRTV 6/24/22 by Joe Skurzewski]
Update 8:“A North Dakota woman has been sentenced to life in a federal prison for fatally abusing her 5-year-old foster child.
Tammy Longie, of Tokio, earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, child abuse and neglect in the May 2020 death of Raven Thompson. His body was found the basement of Longie’s home on the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation.
Longie was sentenced in federal court Monday in a case that U.S. Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl called “tragic and horrifying.””
North Dakota woman sentenced to life in prison for death of foster child
[Fox News 8/9/22 by AP]
Update 9:“A federal appeals court denied an appeal by a North Dakota man, convicted of murder, child abuse and child neglect.
Erich Longie of Tokio, North Dakota and his wife, Tammy, were convicted of killing a five-year-old child, as well as neglecting and abusing children they were fostering on the Spirit Lake Reservation in 2020.
He pleaded guilty in June of 2022 and was sentenced to life in prison.
Longie claimed the district court unfairly denied his motion to withdraw his guilty plea before he was convicted and sentenced for his crimes last June. However, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Longie’s claims and affirmed the judgement of the lower court.
Longie’s wife, Tammy, has also appealed her life sentence. That appeal is still pending.”
Federal appeals court rejects ND foster dad appeal, upholds life sentence for murder
[KFYRtv 1/17/23 by Kortney Lockey]
Recent Comments