Barnum nurse charged with sexual and physical assault – Duluth News Tribune

CARLTON – A Barnum caregiver is accused of sexually and physically assaulting a vulnerable adult.

Jasmine Melissa Collins, 18, was charged last week with first-degree sexual abuse of a mentally disabled or physically helpless victim. She is also charged with fifth-degree assault.

The indictment alleges that Collins inappropriately touched and abused the disabled woman with a curling iron while she was paying her to help her with her personal hygiene.

According to a criminal complaint:

The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office began investigating in March after receiving a report from the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center. The victim is physically disabled and cannot speak, but can communicate through movement.

She told an investigator that Collins was “very rough” in his grooming and hit her with the palm of his hand. She described being afraid of Collins and said there were no witnesses to the incidents.

The victim further confirmed that Collins touched her private parts without any legitimate grooming purpose and that she was sexually assaulted with a bathroom object that was later determined to be a curling iron.

The victim’s mother told investigators her daughter screamed when Collins visited her home. She also noticed bruising and said the victim became increasingly anxious, slept poorly and had nightmares.

During a therapy session, the victim expressed that he or she did not feel safe and reported being mistreated by the caregiver.

The woman was subsequently examined by a forensic doctor, who found signs of physical and sexual abuse as well as symptoms suggestive of panic attacks.

Collins was interviewed and admitted that she was tasked with assisting the victim with showering and toileting, but denied ever hitting her or touching her inappropriately.

The defendant was arrested on a warrant and arraigned in State District Court on Friday, June 21. Judge Theresa Neo set bail at $150,000 and ordered no contact with the victim or his family.

The most serious charge carries a prison sentence of 12 years for first-time offenders if convicted.

Collins remained in the Carlton County Jail on Tuesday, June 25. Her next court date is scheduled for Wednesday, July 3.

Tom Olsen has covered crime and courts and the 8th Congressional District for the Duluth News Tribune since 2013. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth and has lived in the city since birth. Readers can reach Olsen at 218-723-5333 or [email protected].