Search warrant: Couple planned to abduct Bemidji girl to sexually assault her
BELTRAMI COUNTY, Minn. (KMSP) - New details regarding the kidnapping of a five-year-old Bemidji girl earlier this summer are emerging. According to search warrant affidavits, kidnapping suspect Jacob Kinn and the girl's babysitter Melissa Norby had planned to abduct the girl to sexually assault her.
On June 22, a fire broke out at a home in a trailer park killed in Bemidji, where the five-year-old girl had been staying. Crews found a woman, later identified as Norby, dead inside the home, but the girl was missing.
During the course of the investigation, officers learned Norby had recently rekindled a relationship with Jacob Kinn, who was on probation for a previous child pornography conviction. Jacob Kinn initially denied being in a relationship with Norby.
RECAP: Charges: Kidnapped Bemidji girl was found with legs duct taped
Investigators found the kidnapped girl with her legs duct-taped together inside a pickup camper on Kinn's property in rural Itasca County. After she was given medical attention, officials noted that her injuries indicated that she had been sexually assaulted.
When agents examined Kinn's cell phone, they discovered it contained numerous photos of child pornography and there were sexually explicit text messages between Norby and Kinn referencing the the five-year-old. It appeared the two adults "had apparently been attempting to acquire the child for the purpose of sexually assaulting her," according to the search warrant affidavits. The pair also discussed scenarios on how to cover-up the assault.
Kinn later told investigators that the child was being used to "enhance his and Norby's sexual experiences." He said about a year and half ago the couple had involved the young girl in a sexual encounter.