Maplewood Mom Charged in Child Beating Case

BY MN CRIME STAFF

A Maplewood woman faces charges after prosecutors say she helped plan and allowed the assault of a ten-year-old girl inside an unsafe, unsanitary home.

The allegations stem from an incident reported early this month at a residence near Dorland Road & Mailand Road E. in Maplewood.

Amber Lynn Raymond, 31, is charged with felony child endangerment along with gross misdemeanor counts of malicious punishment of a child and neglect after authorities say she aided and abetted an assault carried out by her boyfriend, knowingly permitting the child’s continued physical abuse.

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According to a criminal complaint filed in Ramsey County District Court, Maplewood police received a report that day about a disturbing video showing an adult male repeatedly striking a child. Authorities identified the man as Basil Neil Woods, 25, who lived at the home with Raymond and her children.

Investigators say the video shows Woods entering a bedroom where the girl was sleeping on the floor. Wearing a mask and lightweight boxing gloves, Woods approached the child and began punching her multiple times. The child can be heard crying out in pain while Woods yelled at her, accusing her of injuring another child and demanding she acknowledge his warnings.

The video shows the girl attempting to shield herself as Woods continued striking her in the shoulder, buttocks, head, face and rib area. Investigators documented at least eight blows delivered with gloved fists.

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An investigator later obtained a search warrant for the home, which was executed Feb. 4. Raymond was present and assisted officers in locating the boxing gloves investigators believed were used during the assault.

According to the complaint, officers found the residence in severe disarray. Animal feces and urine were scattered throughout multiple rooms and strong odors of garbage, cigarettes and waste filled the home. Investigators reported piles of dirty dishes and decaying food in the kitchen, a leaking ceiling collecting in pots and a refrigerator secured with a lock.

Officers described children’s bedrooms covered with garbage, clothing and toys. The upstairs bathroom toilet was not functioning and contained human waste. Investigators also located drug paraphernalia in the home, including a glass pipe with scorch marks, razor blades, a torch, a scale and an X-Acto knife. Authorities counted fourteen to fifteen cats, a small dog and a turtle living in unsanitary conditions.

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During an interview with investigators, Raymond acknowledged she was present during the assault and said she had asked Woods for help disciplining the child. Prosecutors allege she admitted helping plan the assault and acknowledged another child recorded the incident. Raymond told investigators the gloves were used because they were “playing around and boxing,” and claimed Woods did not intend to hurt the child.

Prosecutors allege Raymond’s actions and the living conditions inside the home deprived the child of proper care and created circumstances likely to harm the child’s physical, mental or emotional health.

The felony child endangerment charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The gross misdemeanor counts each carry potential penalties of up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine if convicted.

Raymond was previously convicted of misdemeanor theft in both 2013 and 2014, and convicted of falsely reporting a crime—also a misdemeanor—in 2022.

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