Jorden Borders abused her children through beatings, blood extractions, and false illnesses
A Minnesota mother dubbed the “Vampire” mum has been sentenced to nearly 40 years in prison for a catalogue of disturbing abuse against her children, which included draining their blood, fabricating medical conditions, and subjecting them to brutal beatings.
Jorden Borders, 35, was found guilty in June of 11 charges, including attempted murder, child torture, stalking, and theft by false representation. Her sentencing took place last Thursday before Crow Wing County Judge Patricia Aanes.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison described her crimes as “some of the most heinous and agonising I have seen in my time as Attorney General”, expressing hope for the children’s recovery from the trauma they endured.
The abuse included what prosecutors described as “medical child abuse”, where Borders carried out deliberate acts that resulted in her children presenting with false medical conditions to doctors. In one instance, she forcibly withdrew blood from her nine-year-old son before a medical appointment, using syringes and invasive medical lines, including PICC and central lines.
The boy’s dangerously low haemoglobin levels triggered suspicions among hospital staff, prompting them to alert authorities in May 2022. Investigators discovered that Borders would also instruct her children to dispose of blood down the toilet and to remain silent about the practice. The child later told officials that the blood removal left him feeling “sick-sleepy” and resulted in repeated hospital admissions.
Embed from Getty ImagesBorders also forced her children to wear unnecessary medical devices such as boots, casts, neck braces, and hearing amplifiers, despite no diagnosed injuries or conditions. One child was kept in a cast for over two years. She encouraged them to fake symptoms—vomiting on cue or coughing to appear asthmatic—leading to the prescription of unnecessary medication.
Beyond the fabricated illnesses, the children endured physical abuse. They testified that their mother beat them with charging cables, belts, and spoons. One child recalled being whipped until bleeding. They were also subjected to extreme punishments, including being forced to stand outside in freezing weather without clothing until their skin burned from the cold, being deprived of food, and receiving threats to their lives.
The abuse came to light following the hospital’s report, which led to a search of Borders’ Crosslake home in November 2022. The property, located around 150 miles northwest of Minneapolis, became the focal point of a wide-ranging investigation. The probable cause affidavit noted that medical staff could find no legitimate reason for the boy’s recurring anaemia other than blood being removed from his body.
Prosecutors said Borders’ actions were calculated to manipulate doctors, obtain unnecessary treatments, and exert control over her children, causing lasting physical harm and psychological trauma.
During the trial, further disturbing details emerged of her manipulative behaviour. She self-diagnosed her children with brittle bone disease and instructed them to follow her fabricated narratives during medical visits. The prolonged deception placed the children at serious medical risk and deprived them of normal, healthy lives.
In sentencing, Judge Aanes emphasised the severity of the offences, noting that Borders’ behaviour was “systematic, cruel, and carried out over a prolonged period with a blatant disregard for the wellbeing of her children.”
Borders will now serve close to four decades in a state prison under strict conditions. Her case has drawn significant public outrage in Minnesota, with many calling for more robust measures to detect and prevent medical child abuse.
The children remain under protective care, with officials reporting that they are receiving specialist medical and psychological support as they begin their recovery from years of manipulation and violence.