Crosslake, MN – A Minnesota woman will spend nearly four decades behind bars for a disturbing pattern of child abuse, torture, and medical fraud that left her children physically and emotionally scarred.
Mother Convicted on 11 Felony Counts
In June, Jorden Borders, 35, was found guilty on all 11 charges against her, including attempted murder, child torture, stalking, and theft by false representation, according to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. On Thursday, Crow Wing County Judge Patricia Aanes sentenced Borders to 468 months in state prison, which amounts to just under 40 years.
“Borders’ crimes are some of the most heinous and agonizing I have seen in my time as Attorney General,” said Attorney General Keith Ellison. “I am praying for her children’s recovery from the suffering and trauma they endured.”
Pattern of Medical Child Abuse
Authorities say Borders engaged in medical child abuse by withdrawing blood from her then 9-year-old son before doctor visits to create the appearance of a severe medical condition. She used syringes, PICC lines, and even central lines to extract blood, causing dangerously low hemoglobin levels.
The abuse came to light in May 2022 after hospital staff noticed unexplained drops in the boy’s hemoglobin. Investigators executed a search warrant at the family’s home on Industrial Road in Crosslake, located about 150 miles northwest of Minneapolis. Borders was arrested in November 2022.
Children’s Testimonies Reveal Disturbing Details
During forensic interviews, all three children disclosed that they had seen their mother draw blood from the 9-year-old frequently before doctor visits and were told to flush it down the toilet. The children said they were instructed to lie to medical staff and pretend to have symptoms, including vomiting on command and faking asthma attacks.
One child was forced to wear a cast for over two years without having any fractures, while another was made to wear unprescribed hearing amplifiers that caused painful boils. Borders falsely claimed her children suffered from brittle bone disease to support her fabricated medical claims.
Physical and Emotional Abuse
The abuse went beyond medical manipulation. The children testified that their mother beat them with charging cords, belts, and spoons — sometimes until they bled. She allegedly forced them to stand naked outside in freezing weather, withheld food, and made regular death threats.
A press release from the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office noted that Borders’ pattern of abuse and control spanned five years, causing deep psychological trauma to her children.
Medicaid Fraud
Prosecutors also proved Borders defrauded Minnesota’s Medicaid program out of $18,000 by falsifying symptoms for one child and claiming to be the child’s personal care assistant.
Borders will serve her full sentence in state prison, and authorities have pledged ongoing support for the children as they recover.
How do you think cases of medical child abuse should be monitored and prevented? Share your thoughts in the comments.
