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56-CR-18-1034 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court

4/11/2018 10:56:40 AM
Otter Tail County, MN

State of Minnesota District Court
County of Otter Tail 7th Judicial District
Prosecutor File No. 18F-115EV
Court File No. 56-CR-18-1034

State of Minnesota, COMPLAINT
Plaintiff, Order of Detention
vs.
WALTER HENRY WYNHOFF    DOB: 12/13/1973
31507 195th Ave. #4
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Defendant.

The Complainant submits this complaint to the Court and states that there is probable cause to believe
Defendant committed the following offense(s):
COUNT I
Charge: Murder - 2nd Degree - Without Intent - While Committing a Felony
Minnesota Statute: 609.19.2(1), with reference to:  609.05.1
Maximum Sentence: imprisonment for not more than 40 years
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 04/09/2018
Control #(ICR#): 18010430
Charge Description: On and between 3/9/2108 and 4/9/2018, within the County of Otter Tail, one Walter
Henry Wynhoff, the defendant did intentionally aid, advise, hire, counsel, or conspire with Bobbie
Christine Bishop , or otherwise procure the other to cause the death of a human being without intent to
effect the death of any person, while committing or attempting to commit a felony offense other than
criminal sexual conduct in the first or second degree with force or violence or a drive-by shooting.
Specifically, malicious punishment.
COUNT II
Charge: Manslaughter - 1st Degree - Causes the death of another; committing or attempting to
commit 609.377
Minnesota Statute: 609.20(5), with reference to:  609.05.1
Maximum Sentence: 15 years imprisonment, a $30,000 fine, or both
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 04/09/2018
Control #(ICR#): 18010430
Charge Description: On and between 3/9/2018 and 4/9/2018, within the County of Otter Tail, Walter Henry
Wynhoff, the defendant did intentionally aid, advise, hire, counsel, or conspire with Bobbie Christine
Bishop, or otherwise procure the other to cause the death of another in committing or attempting to
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56-CR-18-1034 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
4/11/2018
commit a violation of section 609.377 (malicious punishment of a child), and murder in the first, 10:56:40 or
second, AM
Otter Tail County, MN
third degree is not committed thereby.
COUNT III
Charge: Manslaughter - 2nd Degree - Commit or Attempt to Commit Violation
Minnesota Statute: 609.205(5), with reference to:  609.05.1
Maximum Sentence: 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 04/09/2018
Control #(ICR#): 18010430
Charge Description: On and between 3/9/2018 and 4/9/2018, within the County of Otter Tail, Walter Henry
Wynhoff, the defendant did intentionally aid, advise, hire, counsel, or conspire with Bobbie Christine
Bishop, or otherwise procure the other to cause the death of another by committing or attempting to
commit a violation of section 609.378 (neglect or endangerment of a child), and murder in the first,
second, or third degree is not committed thereby.
COUNT IV
Charge: Manslaughter - 2nd Degree - Culpable Negligence Creating Unreasonable Risk
Minnesota Statute: 609.205(1), with reference to:  609.05.1
Maximum Sentence: 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 04/09/2018
Control #(ICR#): 18010430
Charge Description: On and between 3/9/2018 and 4/9/2018 within the County of Otter Tail, Walter Henry
Wynhoff, the defendant did intentionally aid, advise, hire, counsel, or conspire with Bobbie Christine
Bishop, or otherwise procure the other to cause the death of another by the person's culpable negligence
whereby the person creates an unreasonable risk, and consciously takes chances of causing death or
great bodily harm to another.
COUNT V
Charge: Malicious Punishment of a Child-Great Bodily Harm
Minnesota Statute: 609.377.6, with reference to:  609.05.1
Maximum Sentence: 10 years and or $20,000
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 04/09/2018
Control #(ICR#): 18010430
Charge Description: On and between 3/9/2108 and 4/9/2018 within the County of Otter Tail, Walter Henry
Wynhoff, the defendant as a parent, legal guardian or caretaker by an intentional act or a series of acts
with respect to a child, did intentionally aid, advise, hire, counsel, or conspire with Bobbie Christine
Bishop, or otherwise procure the other to use unreasonable force or cruel discipline that is excessive
under the circumstances and caused great bodily harm.

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56-CR-18-1034 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
STATEMENT OF PROBABLE CAUSE 4/11/2018 10:56:40 AM
Otter Tail County, MN

 
The Complainant states that the following facts establish probable cause:
 
Complainant is a duly acting and appointed law enforcement officer with the County of Otter Tail,
Minnesota, who received information regarding the below-described offense. 

On April 9, 2018, the Fergus Falls Police Department received a report of a six-year old male
unresponsive at Lake Region Hospital. Detective Andrew Renner responded and met with Officer Tyler
Young who stated he was at the hospital for another matter when a female and child came into the
emergency room. She was carrying the child and efforts immediately started to resuscitate the child.
Eventually, resuscitation efforts were called off and the child was declared deceased by hospital staff.
Detective Renner took photographs of the child and noted his appearance was disturbing with marks from
head to toe, sores, cuts and scratches all over. The child's hair was blotchy and appeared as if parts of it
had either been pulled out or just not growing. Detective Renner also noticed on the left side of the child's
body a linear mark 2 to 3 inches wide that appeared to be consistent with a strap or some type of restraint
across the upper torso with scratches that looked like fingernail markings. His face was scabbed over and
scarred with multiple injuries in different phases of healing. 

Hospital staff were present, and Detective Renner spoke with Registered Nurse Kayla Carlson who stated
that the female later identified as Bobby Bishop, came into the emergency room with the child wearing just
a diaper. She observed that the child was limp and not breathing, with no pulse and cold to touch. Staff
immediately began resuscitation efforts. Carlson said a male was initially present with Bishop but left
quickly. Carlson stated that there was a very bad smell from a soiled diaper which was partially torn off and
shredded in the front. Carlson also noted an item on his left foot that looked like a potato with some sort of
bandage. The entire foot was also in a plastic grocery type bag. Carlson noted that the child's genitalia was
also discolored and appeared abnormal. Carlson also noticed the strap like mark on the left side of his
body. She went on to state that the wounds were very infected. 

Detective Renner also spoke with Registered Nurse Kevin Hines who stated that he was also present
when Bishop walked in and kept repeating "he's not breathing he's not breathing”. He stated this went on
for approximately 5 minutes and he also observed the overall appearance of the child to look like neglect
with the skin breakdown, sloughing of the skin, along with infection. He also noted that the child's arms and
feet were modeled in the abdomen was rigid and hard possibly related to internal injuries. Detective
Renner also spoke with Dr. David Kaplon who described the child's overall appearances as disturbing and
that he had sores all the way through the skin. He also noticed the potato-like bandage wrapped around the
child's foot, that his pupils were fixed and dilated and that his body was cool to touch. He also noted a white
blood cell count that was very high, which would go along with an overwhelming infection. In addition, the
child’s stomach was distended and there were abrasions to the child's arms and numerous marks about
his body. Dr. Kaplon assisted in the resuscitation efforts and found the pediatrician Dr. Angela Folstad who
eventually turned over the child and observed horrible sores on the left buttocks up to the back. 

Detective Renner then spoke with Dr. Folstad who confirmed that she noticed multiple signs of trauma to
the body of the child consistent with different mechanisms of inflicted injury. She also noticed the strap mark
along the left shoulder that was lineal, that there was hair removed from the child via traction or pulling, that
there was a buttocks injury that appeared to possibly be from scolding water, and potential flesh eating
bacteria, with the observation of toe skin that was sloughed off and possibly from some sort of "water
burn." The right foot also had noted indications of blood infection. Dr. Folstad noted that most remarkable
was the different ages of the wounds. 
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56-CR-18-1034 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
4/11/2018 10:56:40 AM
Otter Tail County, MN
On April 9, 2018, at 8:00 AM Detective Renner, along with Detective Matthew Shirkey met with Walter
Wynhoff, a friend of Bishop who spent time at the residence located at 333 Friberg Ave., Fergus Falls,
Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Wynhoff was asked to clarify the timeline of the days prior to that morning. He
indicated that he had been present Friday evening when he went to a friend’s house and returned at
approximately 11:00-11:30 PM. He said that the six-year-old male, along with the six-year-old brother were
asleep and when he got up around 9:00 AM on Saturday both kids were up watching TV and eating
breakfast. He did state at one point one child went outside to play, but the six-year-old male child was on
the bed for a timeout because he was in trouble for peeing his bed. He went on to state that the six-year-old
male was on his bed from 11:00 AM until dinner or about 6:00 PM when he came out and then went back
and sat on his bed to 7:30 PM when he went to sleep. Wynhoff explained that on Monday morning when
Bishop woke up she went upstairs and started screaming. Wynhoff said he ran upstairs and noticed that
the six-year-old child was not breathing, and he drove them to the emergency room. Wynhoff initially
claimed the children were spanked and forced to stand in corners as a type of discipline because they
would pee and poop in their pants to be defiant. Wynhoff did indicate that Bishop would use a belt on the
children for discipline and that they would stand in the corner for half an hour or for the rest of the day.
Detective Renner observed that Wynhoff was very agitated when talking about the children peeing and
pooping themselves and appeared angered. Detective Renner asked why the child was wearing a diaper
and Wynhoff indicated it was because they believed he was peeing and pooping in his pants intentionally. 

On April 9, 2018, at approximately 7:00 AM Detective Renner and Detective Shirkey met with Bishop at
the emergency room. Without prompting, Bishop stated that the six-year-old male was fine and then said
he was not. When asked about the child's demeanor prior to the incident, she stated that he was acting
normal and claimed she would have brought him in to the hospital if there were concerns. Bishop stated
that the last time that the children were at the doctor was possibly in September 2017 when they got flu
shots. Bishop stated that she received the boys from Norma Burland, who lives in Montana and was the
grandmother to her friend. Burland was unable to take care of the boys due to their behaviors. Bishop said
she has had the two six-year-old males since August 9, 2017. When asked about the day of the incident,
Bishop said she had fallen asleep and woke up at approximately 3:30 AM, went upstairs turned the light on
in the bedroom and noticed that the six-year-old male was not breathing and blue in color. She said she
tried CPR and hollered for Wynhoff and then they went to the hospital. Bishop explained that when the
children first got to her home in August they were violent and did weird things. She did state that she
provided punishment for their behavior which would include standing in a corner or sitting on the bed a lot
and getting spankings. 

Detective Renner, along with Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Special Agent Daniel Baumann
again met with Wynhoff. A that time, Wynhoff clarified that he was a caregiver and watched the children on
occasions when Bishop went to the store and other places. Wynhoff stated that Bishop not only disciplined
the children by spanking, but also used a belt and the belt would consistently be used with four to six swats.
Wynhoff said he observed Bishop use the belt on the children 5 to 7 times since August when they arrived.
Wynhoff believed that it had been approximately 3 to 4 days since he observed a belt and after the belt was
used, the six-year-old male urinated himself. Wynhoff indicated he did notice marks on Friday or Saturday
and that the child was picking his face on Saturday morning. Detective Renner confronted Wynhoff about
the potato type object on the child's foot and he stated that on either Friday or Saturday his foot was
infected, and he also noticed the marks about his body over the last couple of weeks. While questioning
Wynhoff, at one point, he alluded to the fact that Bishop may have lost it and claimed he did not. He
indicated he first noticed the sore on the child's bottom approximately 4 to 5 days ago and blamed it on "he
shit himself and sat in it for approximately a half hour to an hour." Wynhoff admitted that he recognized that
the child needed medical attention and failed to provide it. Detective Renner confronted Wynhoff then about
restraints used on the child and Wynhoff admitted that within the last four days Bishop taped the six-year-
old male to the wall with duct tape and that he physically saw the child taped to the wall and restrained. He
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said that they both went downstairs once he was restrained. 4/11/2018 10:56:40 AM
Otter Tail County, MN

On April 10th, 2018 at approximately 5:00 pm Detective Renner and Detective Sergeant Andrew Miller
again interviewed Bishop. Bishop indicated that within the last month discipline with children escalated.
Specifically, on March 12, 2018 a Judicial Custodial Hearing occurred and after this hearing not going as
planned their behavior escalated. Bishop indicated discipline became regular with spankings, belts, and
duct tape. Bishop relayed the duct tape was used to restrain the six-year-old male. Bishop specifically
indicated that he had been spanked with the belt roughly 20 times over the course of the last month and his
brother approximately 7 times within the last month. On April 8, 2018 in the evening hours, she recalled a
specific outburst where she “beat his ass”. She said she spanked him with a belt and knew she hit him too
hard. Bishop was shown a picture of an injury this his body and she said it was her using the belt and most
likely the belt buckle. She went on to state that could not handle the discipline of him any longer, so went to
get Wynhoff to assist after placing the duct tape on the child. She also said she should have sought
medical attention for the child. Specifically stating, “I shoulda brought him in, I know I fuckin shoulda, I didn’t
want them to take him away.” 
Bishop said after she spoke to Wynhoff about further need of discipline, during the early morning incident
Monday, Wynhoff went to the child’s room and when he returned state, “I’ve never been so mad at a child
before and I slapped him.” Bishop confronted Wynhoff and then went to check on the child and observed
that he had a red mark on the left side of his face and he was “groggy” and had slurred speech. He then
handed her his tooth, and she saw a broken piece of a 1”x1” board/stick laying on the bed next to him.
Officers later located two wood pieces with a red-like substance that field tested positive for blood.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 609.49., intentional failure to appear for duly scheduled
court appearances may result in additional criminal charges, and in addition to any arrest warrant that may
otherwise be issued by the Court.

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56-CR-18-1034 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
SIGNATURES AND APPROVALS 4/11/2018 10:56:40 AM
Otter Tail County, MN

Complainant requests that Defendant, subject to bail or conditions of release, be:
(1) arrested or that other lawful steps be taken to obtain Defendant's appearance in court; or
(2) detained, if already in custody, pending further proceedings; and that said Defendant otherwise
be dealt with according to law.
Complainant declares under penalty of perjury that everything stated in this document is true and
correct. Minn. Stat. § 358.116; Minn. R. Crim. P. 2.01, subds. 1, 2.

Complainant Terry R Eldien Electronically Signed:


Lt 04/11/2018 10:38 AM
122 W Junius Avenue Otter Tail County,  Minnesota
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Badge: 102

Being authorized to prosecute the offenses charged, I approve this complaint.

Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Eldien Electronically Signed:


Assistant Ottertail County 04/11/2018 10:33 AM
Attorney
121 W Junius Avenue
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
(218) 998-8400

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56-CR-18-1034 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
FINDING OF PROBABLE CAUSE 4/11/2018 10:56:40 AM
Otter Tail County, MN
From the above sworn facts, and any supporting affidavits or supplemental sworn testimony, I, the Issuing Officer, have
determined that probable cause exists to support, subject to bail or conditions of release where applicable, Defendant’s arrest
or other lawful steps be taken to obtain Defendant’s appearance in court, or Defendant’s detention, if already in custody,
pending further proceedings. Defendant is therefore charged with the above-stated offense(s).

SUMMONS
THEREFORE YOU, THE DEFENDANT, ARE SUMMONED to appear on ________ ___, _____ at _____ AM/PM
before the above-named court at 121 W Junius Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN 56537 to answer this complaint.

IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR in response to this SUMMONS, a WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST shall be issued.

WARRANT
To the Sheriff of the above-named county; or other person authorized to execute this warrant: I order, in the name of the State
of Minnesota, that the Defendant be apprehended and arrested without delay and brought promptly before the court (if in
session), and if not, before a Judge or Judicial Officer of such court without unnecessary delay, and in any event not later than
36 hours after the arrest or as soon as such Judge or Judicial Officer is available to be dealt with according to law.

Execute in MN Only Execute Nationwide Execute in Border States

X ORDER OF DETENTION
Since the Defendant is already in custody, I order, subject to bail or conditions of release, that the Defendant continue to be
detained pending further proceedings.

Bail:  $
Conditions of Release:  

This complaint, duly subscribed and sworn to or signed under penalty of perjury, is issued by the undersigned Judicial Officer
as of the following date: April 11, 2018.

Judicial Officer Sharon Benson Electronically Signed: 04/11/2018 10:54 AM


 

Sworn testimony has been given before the Judicial Officer by the following witnesses:
 

COUNTY OF OTTER TAIL
STATE OF MINNESOTA

State of Minnesota
Plaintiff LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER RETURN OF SERVICE
I hereby Certify and Return that I have served a copy of this Order of
vs. Detention upon the Defendant herein named.
Signature of Authorized Service Agent:
Walter Henry Wynhoff
Defendant

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56-CR-18-1034 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
DEFENDANT FACT SHEET 4/11/2018 10:56:40 AM
Otter Tail County, MN

Name: Walter Henry Wynhoff
DOB: 12/13/1973
Address: 31507 195th Ave. #4
Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Alias Names/DOB:
SID:  
Height:
Weight:
Eye Color:
Hair Color:
Gender: MALE
Race:
Fingerprints Required per Statute: Yes
Fingerprint match to Criminal History Record: No
Driver's License #:  
Alcohol Concentration:

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56-CR-18-1034 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
STATUTE AND OFFENSE GRID 4/11/2018 10:56:40 AM
Otter Tail County, MN

Cnt Statute Offense Statute Nbrs and Descriptions Offense MOC GOC Controlling Case


Nbr Type Date(s) Level Agencies Numbers

1 Charge 4/9/2018 609.19.2(1) Felony H2055 N MN0560100 18010430


Murder - 2nd Degree - Without Intent -
While Committing a Felony
  Modifier 4/9/2018 609.05.1  No-Level  H2055 N MN0560100 18010430
Liability for Crimes of
Another-Intentional

2 Charge 4/9/2018 609.20(5) Felony H4055 N MN0560100 18010430


Manslaughter - 1st Degree - Causes
the death of another; committing or
attempting to commit 609.377
  Modifier 4/9/2018 609.05.1  No-Level  H4055 N MN0560100 18010430
Liability for Crimes of
Another-Intentional

3 Charge 4/9/2018 609.205(5) Felony H5055 N MN0560100 18010430


Manslaughter - 2nd Degree - Commit
or Attempt to Commit Violation
  Modifier 4/9/2018 609.05.1  No-Level  H5055 N MN0560100 18010430
Liability for Crimes of
Another-Intentional

4 Charge 4/9/2018 609.205(1) Felony H5055 N MN0560100 18010430


Manslaughter - 2nd Degree - Culpable
Negligence Creating Unreasonable
Risk
  Modifier 4/9/2018 609.05.1  No-Level  H5055 N MN0560100 18010430
Liability for Crimes of
Another-Intentional

5 Charge 4/9/2018 609.377.6 Felony I1071 N MN0560100 18010430


Malicious Punishment of a Child-Great
Bodily Harm
  Modifier 4/9/2018 609.05.1  No-Level  I1071 N MN0560100 18010430
Liability for Crimes of
Another-Intentional

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