A Minnesota mother is facing multiple criminal charges after investigators say she tortured a child in her care for nearly 17 months, forcing the victim to stand pressed against a wall for hours each day and even holding a pistol to their head while threatening to kill them.
Paula Jo McCallister, 36, of Chisholm, allegedly made the child endure daily punishments inside her home from September 2024 through January 2026, according to a criminal complaint obtained by local NBC affiliate KBJR.
Background
The alleged abuse came to light after investigators learned that McCallister had been punishing the child on an almost daily basis. A sibling told authorities that the victim was subjected to harsh discipline unless McCallister decided to give them another chance.
According to the complaint, one of McCallister's most commonly used punishments required the child to "go on the wall" — standing with their toes and nose pressed against a wall from sunup to sundown. The child was reportedly not allowed to speak or turn around while serving this punishment.
The victim told investigators that McCallister had instructed them to stay quiet about her punishments, warning that police would not believe them if they reported the abuse. McCallister allegedly told the child that because she had no criminal history, authorities would return the victim to her care without any consequences for her actions.
The Charges
Chisholm Police arrested McCallister on seven criminal counts: child torture, second-degree assault, domestic assault by strangulation, neglect or endangerment of a child, malicious punishment of a child, domestic assault, and false imprisonment with unreasonable restraint of a child. She is currently out on bail.
Court documents detail additional alleged acts of cruelty during the abuse period. Investigators say McCallister refused to feed the child for days at a time as punishment after accusing them of stealing food. On one occasion, she allegedly pushed the child down, pulled out a pistol, cocked it, and held the weapon to the victim's forehead before stating: "Your death would bring me sweet relief."
Authorities say McCallister also locked the victim in a room without access to food or water and forced them to kneel on grains of rice while holding weights.
If convicted on the child torture charge alone, McCallister faces up to 25 years in prison. She is due back in court for an upcoming hearing.
Key Takeaways
- Paula Jo McCallister, 36, of Chisholm, Minnesota, has been charged with seven counts including child torture
- The alleged abuse spanned nearly 17 months from September 2024 to January 2026
- McCallister allegedly forced the child to stand pressed against a wall all day as punishment
- She reportedly held a pistol to the victim's forehead and threatened to kill them
- McCallister is currently out on bail awaiting court proceedings
What's Next
McCallister will appear in court for an upcoming hearing. The case remains under investigation, and authorities are continuing to gather evidence related to the alleged abuse.
The child's current living situation was not detailed in available records. Anyone with additional information about this case has been encouraged to contact Chisholm police.