Judge orders $150,000 sig bond in foot amputation case

Posted 12/6/22

Mary K. Brown, 38, appeared in Pierce County Circuit Court Tuesday, Dec. 6 for an initial appearance on felony charges related to her unauthorized amputation of a patient’s foot at a Spring Valley …

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Judge orders $150,000 sig bond in foot amputation case

Posted

Mary K. Brown, 38, appeared in Pierce County Circuit Court Tuesday, Dec. 6 for an initial appearance on felony charges related to her unauthorized amputation of a patient’s foot at a Spring Valley nursing home in May.

Brown, a former Spring Valley Health Care Center nurse and Durand resident, appeared in court without an attorney. She is charged with felony physical abuse of elder person – intentionally cause great bodily harm and felony mayhem, both with the increased penalty for elder person victim. If convicted, she faces up to 40 years in prison (plus six more for the increased penalty) and/or fines up to $100,000 on each count.

According to the criminal complaint, Brown amputated a 62-year-old man’s foot without doctor authorization or patient permission and joked about putting it in her family’s taxidermy display. She later told investigators that although she acted outside her scope as a nurse, she did it for the man’s comfort.

The patient was admitted to the nursing home (hospice care) in March 2022 because he had fallen in his home and the heat went out, resulting in severe frostbite in both feet, which became necrotic. Brown amputated his right foot on May 27, which was attached to his body by two or more inches of flesh and a tendon. A certified nursing assistant in the room at the time of the amputation said the man felt pain and squeezed her hand.

The nursing home administrator allegedly put the foot in the freezer until the man died, then sent the foot with his body to the funeral home.

Prosecutor Halle Hatch asked for a $100,000 signature bond and $50,000 cash bond.

“These are serious felonies and they are violent felonies,” Hatch said.

Rohl said since the case has been under investigation since last summer, Brown has had ample time to flee if she was a flight risk.

“She has still returned to court in response to the summons and filled out paperwork for a court-appointed attorney,” Rohl said.

She ordered a $150,000 signature bond with the following conditions: No contact with Spring Valley Health Care or the victim’s family and no acting as a volunteer, employee or in any capacity as a caregiver. Brown told the judge she is no longer employed.

Brown is scheduled to next appear in court at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14 for a status conference.