The girlfriend of a man charged with kidnapping a 5-year-old girl in Bemidji had plotted with her boyfriend to abduct the child "for the purpose of sexually assaulting her," according to new court documents in the case.
Documents: Bemidji babysitter, boyfriend plotted to abduct, sexually assault child
Bemidji babysitter who died in fire may have helped plan kidnapping.
September 2, 2016 at 9:51PM
These details, as well as others about defendant Jacob Kinn's child pornography collection and the couple's sexual bondage practices, are among the contentions included in 11 search warrant affidavits filed in Beltrami District Court in connection with the kidnapping case.
The girlfriend, 35-year-old Melissa Norby, was found dead about the time of the girl's abduction in her fire-ravaged residence on June 22 in Hillcrest Manor mobile home park. Norby's hands were bound over her head, and her feet were also tied together. She was taking care of the girl for a close friend.
The court documents also disclosed forensic evidence confirming that the girl was sexually assaulted. Kinn has not been charged in either Norby's death, the suspected arson or the girl's assault.
He remains jailed on kidnapping charges ahead of a Sept. 16 court appearance. His attorney was not immediately available to comment about the disclosures in the affidavits.
According to the criminal complaint filed June 27 in the kidnapping case, Kinn abducted the girl, bound her hands and legs, covered her mouth with duct tape, then took her to his home north of Bemidji before moving her 70 miles away to a family member's camper near Big Fork.
Investigators located her about 26 hours after the fire was reported. The girl told investigators that Kinn had said he was not coming back, the criminal complaint read.
One search warrant affidavit pointed out texts between Kinn and Norby on his cellphone revealing that the two "had apparently been attempting to acquire the child for the purpose of sexually assaulting her." The couple also plotted how they would cover up the abduction and assault, the court filing continued.
The cellphone also contained evidence of internet searches weeks before the kidnapping about powerful sedatives and lethal doses of medications. Stored on Kinn's cellphone were photos of child pornography and videos of children "engaging in sexual contact with adults," according to the search warrant affidavit.
In one interview with law enforcement, Kinn said that about 1 1/2 years before the abduction he and Norby had sex in front of the girl while the child was naked to "enhance" the experience for him, one of the court filings read.
In 2013, Kinn was sentenced in Beltrami County for possessing child pornography. His conviction in that case put him on probation for five years.
His arrest five years ago came in a police sting that had the suspect believing he was going to meet a mother willing to hand over her daughter for a photo shoot. He was arrested at the supposed meeting place.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
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