The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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October 2, 2009

Security Hospital counselor charged

Assault charges filed against 29-year-old man for allegedly punching mentally disabled woman

By Dan Nienaber

ST PETER — Assault charges have been filed against a Minnesota Security Hospital counselor who is accused of punching a mentally disabled woman several times in the face and chest.

The incident involving Dylan Clair Brown, 29, of Lake Crystal was reported Aug. 22 and was investigated by St. Peter police. Gross misdemeanor charges of fifth-degree assault and mistreatment of a confined mentally disabled person were filed this week.

Two other staff members reported seeing Brown punch the 28-year-old victim in the face while she was being subdued in her room in the Security Hospital. One other staff member told investigators he saw Brown making punching motions, but couldn’t see whether he was actually hitting the victim, the criminal complaint said.

When the victim was interviewed, she said she was feeling suicidal and was in her room with a blanket wrapped around her neck. She said several staff members entered her room and forced her to the ground. It was during that time that the staff member she knew as “Dylan” punched her four or five times in the jaw, the complaint said.

The woman, who has been civilly committed to the hospital by Hennepin County, also admitted she was attempting to bite the staff members as they subdued her. She was only identified by her initials in the complaint.

Another security counselor told investigators she was working with Brown the night of the incident. She said staff went into the victim’s room to restrain her until any “self injurious” materials could be removed.

Once that was done, the staff members left the room individually, she reported. She said she saw Brown punch the victim at least three times after she left the room. All of the counselors met later and Brown was asked what he had done, she said.

“(The security counselor) explained that the defendant gave a nervous laugh and continued to repeat, ‘I don’t know,” the complaint said.

When Brown was interviewed by investigators, he said he was defending himself after the victim attempted to bite him. He said he was attempting to stun her by using a technique he had learned in the military.

He also said it was his understanding he was authorized to “use up to deadly force” to protect himself, the complaint said.

Brown is scheduled to make his first court appearance Oct. 13.

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