SPARTA, Wis. (WFRV) – A Monroe County nurse has been sentenced to prison for having sex with a patient in her care.
Melissa R. Knutson, Readstown, was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by two years of extended supervision.
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According to prosecutors, Knutson had sexual intercourse with a drug court participant on multiple occasions while working as a nurse for a drug court participant in Monroe County.
After reporting the relationship to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Knutson falsely accused the patient of sexual assault in an attempt to avoid consequences, authorities said.
District Attorney Kevin Croninger said the case was a serious breach of professional trust.
“The harm Ms. Knutson caused was profound and significant,” Croninger said. “Not only did she violate the sacred trust between patients and nurses, she compounded the situation by falsely accusing the patient of sexual assault.”
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In handing down the sentence, the judge called Knudsen’s behavior extremely egregious and a betrayal of the nursing profession.
Court records show Knutson will serve time in state prison and then begin long-term supervision.
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