Alleged abusers to appear in court Jan. 21

Posted by conserned4mn (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is so devestating for your community but I am very surprised that they stoped at this degree of behavior. Most of the time with devients when this sort of thing occurs it escalates to much more very quickly. I'll bet more did happen and they minimized it knowing it would mean harsher punishments. Who will ever know. My thoughs are with the victims.

Posted by nisperos (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't believe that the women probably won't serve jail time, especially given that the offenses appear to have been multiple, egregious, pre-planned, at least some were done for an audience, and the stories were re-told for laughs and bragging rights.

It's been asked before by others, but is it because the alleged perps (APs) are young good-looking white women rather than males or minorities?

I wonder if this group of young women are from the same crowd who made fun of students with disabilities at their high school?

I don't want to see them EVER working with any group of vulnerable individuals. Don't just keep them out of the medical and allied health fields, but also keep them out of educational settings, day care settings, youth recreation programs, social services, senior programs, and church programs where they would be directly working with vulnerable populations.

Not only do these women appear to have been abusers, the ring leaders (rather than the ones who failed to report) appear to possibly have been bullies who socially kept the others in line; queen bees in the pecking order.

Read the 15 page pdf from the state investigation and weep (there are a few more details than what you may have already read):

Report Number: H5441019
Status: SUBSTANTIATED
Concluded On: 08/05/2008
Complaint Description: PHYSICAL ABUSE BY STAFF, EMOTIONAL ABUSE BY STAFF
View File (15 page pdf): http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/d...

Posted by demo1960 (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why do you assume that these teens were well-raised? And being accomplished has nothing to do with it. It is obvious to me that these girls are missing something called a conscience and empathy for others. Just because kids are raised in a "nice" house etc. means nothing if children are raised without a sense of personal responsibility. That is what happens when parents give their children everything and expect nothing in return.

Posted by nisperos (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If the abuse itself wasn't serious enough, discussing and talking about patients in any identifiable way out of the health care setting (and in the health care setting when not related to care such as by joking about specific patients on breaks) can be punishable by both civil and criminal penalties.

I hope that family members of those who were allegedly abused (including those whose family member is now deceased) and whose privacy was also violated will file an additional complaint with the Office of Civil Rights. Here's how:

HOW TO FILE A HEALTH INFORMATION PRIVACY COMPLAINT WITH THE OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacyhowtofile....

Posted by Thewatcher (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 10:39 a.m.

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Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This crime event does not in any way reflect on the community. I don't particularly like everything about the legal system, but it's the best we have for now. Let it take it's course.

Posted by yesyes (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have not taken the time to read these comments yet but have not been able to find the page for yesterdays article and have a comment to make to NAadmin who commented today on yesterdays article:
Thank you NA admin!! Finally a comment that gives people an action they can take to actually make a difference in this situation! Although I understand the need for people to make their voices heard in such a horrific situation, if we only rant and rave and not take any action to prevent this from happening again, we can only blame ourselves WHEN it does happen again!!! NAadmin, please repost the number you referred to and give people some ideas of what they can say when they call. Thanks, again!!!

Posted by gysler (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 10:58 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by seventyone (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wildbill

Unfortunately this does reflect on the community and very badly. Now when people talk about Albert Lea it will be known as the city that let the teens get away with abuse on the elderly. I am going to assume that you live here and you don't care what people say about this fine city. These girls need to be punished for their crime. The county attorney will not do it. The victims in this case deserve justice and justice is not suspended jail sentences and probation. Do you want these girls to be able to work somewhere you might need their help? Do you want these girls to be helping your parents, grandparents, your wife in future years(assuming your married). These girls need to be put on the sex offender registry so we, the community can protect ourselves and our loved ones from the intended cruelty they inflicted on the victims. If we as a community stand by and do nothing and just say let the legal system take its course we are putting ourselves in harms way. I don't know about you but I deserve to know who the predators are and where they are, to protect my family and my community.

Posted by nisperos (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If you will go read the pdf I linked in a prior post, you will find out that 3 of the 15 residents were either legally blind or suffered from a degenerative vision condition. Also, one of the alleged perps (APs) supposedly would tell a resident who asked where she was that she was in jail in order to make her upset. One of the APs would tap a resident in the genitals so he would scream, a "tap" which was described as hard enough to "hurt any guy, hard enough to make a man cry"...

Go read

Posted by dolphin (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Im so sick of all these bad comments about Mark Anderson and the Good Samaritan Center. I work there and it is a very good place to work, you people need to stop blaming everyone else for those girls actions. What if you worked there would you want to get blamed for the girls actions, probably not. So grow up a little bit and stop blaming others.

Posted by nisperos (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

@ yesyes 10:45

Is this possibly the information you are looking for?

Complaints about a Minnesota nursing assistant must be called into the Office of Health Facility and Complaints (OHFC) at (651) 201-4201 or 1-800-369-7994. An investigation must be completed before a finding can be substantiated and entered onto the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.

If a person has a finding of maltreatment on the Registry and someone calls to verify if a nursing assistant is on the Registry, the caller will be automatically transferred to a Registry representative.

If there is a finding of maltreatment on the Registry, the nursing assistant is prohibited from working in a certified nursing facility.

Posted by albertlea1 (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I seriously can't believe this happened. I read that a few of the residents have since passed on. I am ashamed that they had to live the end of their lives being abused the way they did. I hope and pray they are in a better place. As for the abusers, I believe their punishment will be given to them on judgement day.

Posted by nisperos (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Another possibly helpful link for someone looking to file a complaint:

Office of Health Facility Complaints Filing a Complaint: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/f...

Posted by dolphin (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Has this hit national news yet?

Posted by dolphin (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We need to get this on good morning america or oprah, this could be happening anywhere. We need to stop it.

Posted by observer (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dolphin,
What has Mr Anderson done to help with this investigation? The biggest question is what has been put in place to assure the greater AL and Freeborn county area that this will never happen again under his watch? I am just currious and not attacking you at all. I think that the move on comment is a bit much and what is the idea behind move on? (Move on and hopefully these girls problems will go away or move on and implement a infrastructure that will prevent this from ever happening again)

Posted by dolphin (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He is doing everything he can possibly do to prevent this from happening again. I mean you cant put cameras in residents rooms. When you are hired they tell you what will be done if rules are not followed and apparently those girls didnt believe it. You cant have a nurse follow everybody around all the time they have there own things to do. Basically you have to trust who you are hiring and hopefully they will do the right thing when they are working. What else can you do to prevent this. Maybe if the girls went to prison for a few years more people would be afraid instead of just getting fines and probation, which is just plain stupid.

Posted by Katiekalikimaka (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 12:21 p.m.

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Posted by shedaisy (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

These two girls need to go to jail...no question about it. They knew what they were doing, knew it was wrong, did it over the course of several months and then bragged about it. They are 18 and need to be punished and serve their time just like any other adult would in the same situation.

Posted by Grumpus (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes. They need jail time. But your doddering County Attorney doesn't see it that way.

Do remember that the next time he asks for a raise.

Posted by Lone_bear (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I know for a fact that one of these girls also harassed and took advantage of a mentally handicapped student at the high school also. So for those who think that this was an isolated incident; it is not she will not learn anything unless a harsher punishment is given to her. I hope they all get jail time for what they did it’s just disgusting.

Posted by NorthofAL (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is linked on the Drudge Report
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/yea...

Posted by FLY (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am not surprised that one of these girls tormented the handicapped in high school.

One of these girls was the captain of the dance team. Why did the High School choose a person of such low character to be the captain?

There must be plenty of girls on the dance team who are not sadistic torturers. Why not reward the good kids with honors, like being the captain?

This speaks very poorly for the ALHS dance team.

Posted by NorthofAL (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How does it speak poorly of the dance team? Did she fill out an application and state she wants to be a strict Dominatrix,and torture those under my control so please let me be captain?
She has not been convicted yet. When convicted, then start removing "honors".

Posted by JL673 (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lone_bear

Did you report it? Did you try to stop it?
If not than you are just as guilty!

Posted by mnchicky (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have so much to say on this, I don't know where to start! I've been hearing about it from the day it was made known at the nursing home and yet every time I hear it again it brings me to tears. I work there and love the residents...it breaks my heart when I imagine what horrible things were done to them! What were you sick phsyco girls thinking??? Who in their right mind would ever come up with thoughts of doing that? I seriuosly think you'd have to be struggling with serious mental problems!

What if it was a man doing these things to a child? He would be locked behind bars for years and be filed as a sex offender for life...yet these girls maaayyy serve jail time?

I feel so sorry not only for the residenst but also thier families. I can't imagine what you're going through! I also feel for those of us working there that had no clue what was going on and had nothing to do with it, yet the public somehow sees us all as evil and given us a bad reputation.

Even if these girls don't get fair punishment here on earth God will have his way with them in the end which is far worse than anything we could do to them here.

This could be going on in many care centers, look how long it was going on right under our noses and it took this long to find out...i hope this whole thing is taken care of fair and square

Posted by taxpayer (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have heard that some of these victims have since passed away. If they did, may they rest in peace. Also if this is true, I am left to wonder if the stress and strain due to the abuse may have been a contrubiting factor in their deaths. Should we be looking at murder charges as well???

Posted by FLY (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr or Ms NorthofAL, why does this speak poorly of the dance team, you ask? Because they chose to be their leader a known sadist, a bully. If that is what they respect in their leaders, fine. But, I'm not too keen on bullies. Maybe AL as a whole should look at the kind of kid they elevate to honors like "captain". Surely you have some kids that don't participate in tormenting the helpless....

Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe something good can come this all this. Maybe this will get society to take bullying more serious in schools.

Posted by badjuju (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would like to see our County Attorney earn is new raise and explain to all of us thru the media why these young predetors were only charged with gross misdmeanors. If I read correctly that one of the little darlings preformed a forced sexual act on one of the victims. You can bet if it was a person of the OTHER sex who did such a perverted act, it would have been a felony. Come on Nelson, man up and give us answers.

Posted by outoftownlandlord (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Did you see that they can bust people for selling smokes to a 17 year old yet this took 5 months to find out and how long to bring charges?

If I read it right the clerks will get just as much jail time as these girls. That is justice so glad the sheriff got a rasie.

Posted by observer (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This story has officially made on the Top Stories of one of the majors:
http://abcnews.go.com/

Posted by seventyone (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What I don't understand, is why aren't they charged with any type of sexual assault (unless I missed seeing those charges). I see the words genitals and rectum but nothing to do with sexual assault. Unless I am completely losing it don't those areas of a humans body generally fall under the catagory of sexual assault? As far as Nelson is concerned shouldn't he have to answer some of our questions as far as why he is proceding the way he is. Why it seems he is protecting the APs instead of the victims. Being fairly new to the area I would think he would want to do what was right and bypass all the controversy versus doing what seems to be a cop out and morally wrong since he is an elected official. Could someone bring me up to date on him.

Posted by controlledhyperness (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My question is this...why are all of these outsourced media sites claiming the other 4-6 (depending on which site you see) girls are still minors. Unless I have missed something, they have all turned 18, and thus should be tried as adults. I am fairly certain that when this broke, all but one were 18..and I am even more certain that, while the acts occured while they were minors, the charges were not brought upon these young ladies until after they turned 18...and therefore are adults. I am not pointing this out for sake of names (there has been too much controversy due to that), but for the sake that there already seems to be either miscommunication, or false reporting going on...and if either or both are the case, what is this likely to do to the case come January??

Posted by Rosie (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have worked direct care for 25 years. What the girls did is wrong, very wrong. Why are young people (under 21) even allowed to work in the nursing home environment? They lack judgement, make bad coices and are scared to nark on their friends. They also make up stories and point fingers. They are just not mature enough. Until society as a whole increases wages and benefits jobs like these will continue to be held by unqualified people. Educate the staff in safe hold techniques that can be used, with out pain, to get daily cares done. Realize that these patient are combative and try the staff person's patience. Give the aides breaks as needed, not as scheduled!! Also teach the aides that it doesn't matter who you see mistreating a person, report it!!!! Even the most educated staff person could be guilty. All the books in the world can't teach you how to be a patient, caring person.

Posted by dj8887 (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder how many people will be at the court date of these disgusting individuals???????? Maybe there should be some protesting happening that day in front of the courthouse???????????? I was told that all these so called "mean girls" have removed their facebook or my space accounts. And let it be known to the public that the one they call Brianna has now "put on a lot of weight" and does not look like she does in the photo. Ashton has lost several pounds and has dyed her hair "blond". Remember these individuals can change their looks and hide their identities, just like they kept their disgusting acts hidden. I can't even feel any remorse for the parents of these individuals, because they should have been more observant as to the friends their daughter(s) were hanging out with. These parents had to have known that all these girls partied (pics on face book) and did crap that they knew was wrong and against their parents wishes. I know not every son or daughter is a angel, but I feel it doesn't hurt to dig into your son's or daughter's life, to make sure they are following the right path, making the right choices and knowing the consequences if they do wrong.

Posted by albertlea1 (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 4:06 p.m.

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Posted by nik (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is a very sad story! My heart goes out to the victims along with Good Sam dealing with what has happen in their facility. Everyone keeps talking about the 2 girls when there was 6 involved. MINORS meaning under 18 but now they are 18. What these 8 girls did to is unforgiveable!! and sick. This goes out to the girls that knew and watched but didn't say anything. DO YOU HAVE GRANDPARENTS OR GREAT GRAND PARENTS??? Would you want anyone to hurt your loved ones????? By the way I found a few more names to add to the list of the 2.

Tribune has learned that out of the six charged there were Broitzman and Larson, along with Alicia Heilmann and Morgan Walton, who are both now 18. The Tribune is seeking the identities of the other two teens.

Morgan & Alicia do you have a grandma or grandpa?????

Posted by mesrps (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have read the posts and couldn't remain silent any longer. My mother was in a nursing home care facility in a different town and just recently passed away. I just cringe to even think that something like this could have happened to her. One of my very dear deceased aunts was a resident at Good Sam's a few years ago. The times that we would visit, she always seemed happy and appeared to have excellent care--so I know there are so many good people who are employed at the home who are devastated by all of this. Not only does my heart ache for the victims and their families, but my heart also aches so much for the parents and grandparents of these young ladies. I do agree that this is a horrendous crime and should be prosecuted accordingly; however, I don't think we should be judging the parents for a daughter's mistakes. The parents must be suffering so much already and in deep pain over what their daughters did. Being a parent is not an easy job; no matter how hard we try to instill the best in our children, some still end up making very horrible choices.

Posted by nik (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mesrps

I am sorry for the lose of your mother. I also feel for the familes of the adult girls BUT remember they are adults and they should know what is RIGHT FROM WRONG! Did the parents teach them this? Were the parents always around to teach them these morals.

Posted by Cheyenne (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If the health care facility can give these teenagers ADULT RESPONSIBILITIES they should be able to hold them responsible as adults too. If they are given ADULT responsiblities tehn charge them as adults if not maybe the law should be changed so that anyone under age 18 is not allowed to work with vulnerable people.
My heart goes out to the victim's and thier families. They should be thinking about civil rights and civil lawsuits as well.
It disturbs me that when Mr Nelson handed this to the State ATTY office he said it was so that there would be no bias, but when he announced that the State Atty sent it back to him he stated he would be able to be unbiased in this matter. I would like to know which it is?
You are darn right if these were males accused of these crimes they would be throwing the book at them and would be pushing the sexual nature of the crimes.
I thought it was a felony to mistreat any vulnerable person?

Posted by mesrps (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nik

I don't know the parents of the girls, nor do I know the girls--so I honestly don't know if the parents were around to teach them morals. Perhaps, you know the girls and, or their families. I am basing my comments on personal experience. No matter how much we do for a child including teaching them right from wrong, as well as good morals, and a strong belief in God, some will make mistakes as young adults.

Posted by dj8887 (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nik, exactly what I was saying in my above comment. I am a parent and I get in my kids business. I want to know who they are with, who they hang out with, where they are at and with whom. Instilling morals and values into your child at a young age is part of who they become later in life. Maybe these parents had instilled morals and values, but they must have not been aware of the friends they were hanging out with. Peer pressure is tough now days, but we, as parents still have to let our children know that there will be times when peer pressure is pushed on you and you have to be on your toes to know how not to follow the evil doers.

Posted by outoftowner (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Question: Once charges are filed, can they be changed or modified? Because from a post yesterday if the charges are only gross misdemeanors and misdemeanors they won't be registered as sex offenders--it has to be a felony offense?

Posted by annab (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stop with the Dance Team already. A few facts: Brianna was elected captain when she was a sophmore to serve in that capacity as a junior. Her junior year she was not again elected, and in fact did not compete on the dance team her senior year. Perhaps these young ladies realized that she did not possess the qualities needed to lead this team and fulfill those duties. Give the girls credit for their choices. Bad choices were made that hurt vulnerable adults. The ramifications flow right up from the victims, the girls, the families, the administrator of Good Sam, the Good Samaritan Center all the way to The City of Albert Lea. We all need to hope that justice prevails and the girls get what they need psychologically so they can move forward and be productive citizens.

Posted by FLY (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 6:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fair enough, forget the dance team. Kudos to them for not re electing her captain as a junior. (But don't be surprised when you see more dance pictures on the nationwide Today show Thursday am.)

Posted by 1234carman (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

anab, I agree totally. Everybody today is so eager to pass judgement and hammer them with punishment. The idea is to identify the problem and correct the behavior.

Posted by nik (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mesrps & dj8887

I don't know the girls or the families and don't care too. I am a mother of 3 and I can't Imagine my children doing anything like this even under peer pressure. Yes we make mistakes and so will are kids. As example I got caught shoplifting as a teen and I have never stole again. My son got in a fight at school because he was being called awful names and bullied in the halls and he hit the other kid who was picking on him which cracked his eye socket and the judge sent him to juvenile hall for 7 days at the age of 15. I was horrified! He didn't Sexually assault and abuse anyone or pretend he didn't know or see anything and at 15 he went to jail. These girls need to pay the piper for what they have done all of them!

Posted by Believe (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rosie-
I have to say that I am very offended from your comment, "Why are young people (under 21) even allowed to work in the nursing home environment? They lack judgement, make bad coices and are scared to nark on their friends. They also make up stories and point fingers. They are just not mature enough."
I started working as a nursing assistant at 17. I would never had dreamed of doing anything like these girls did. I treated those residents just like my family.
I know people that are LPNs before the reach the age of 21. You can even be an RN now a days before you turn 21 if you work hard enough.
You even said, "Even the most educated staff person could be guilty." It doesn't matter what age you are. These types of situations need to be evaluated individually to determine if that person is right for the job.
This situation could have happened anywhere, to anyone, by people you would never think would do this. Age has nothing to do with it.

Posted by 40something (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 7:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with those of you who are wondering why the two "adult" girls have not been charged with criminal sexual conduct. Minnesota Statute 609.345 subd. 1(d) states "A person who engages in sexual contact with another person is guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree if.....the actor (i.e. perpetrator) knows or has reason to know that the complainant (victim) is mentally impaired, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless." This is a felony and if convicted they could be sentenced to imprisonment up to 10 years and a $20,000 fine.

I'm not an attorney, but the facts sure seem to fit. I would be interested if there are some legal professionals following these posts that would shed some light on why these charges aren't being pursued?

As charged now, the potential of a year in jail and $3,000 fine is no where near severe enough to fit what these girls did.

Posted by badjuju (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Remember everyone!!!!!!!! Even though it was young people who did this crime, lets remember that 99% of our young folks are good people and are responsible enough to work in a nursing home.

Posted by vaiyanen (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 12:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gross misdemeanor charges? For sexual abuse? Are you kidding me?

These people using trivial language, such a "poor judgement" and "made a mistake" to excuse these predators need to exercise a better grip on the reality of this situation.

They knowingly and willingly committed acts of predation and cruelty against vulnerable adults. They callously bragged about their actions and even documented some of the abuse with cell phone cameras.

Nothing in the realm of sexual abuse can be quantified as a mistake. There is no "oopsie" in this situation. These were conscious acts by young women who were more than old enough to know what they were doing was immoral.

The woefully inadequate pentalties these women will face highlights the fact that sex based offenses are still not taken seriously enough in our society.

A gross misdemeanor is classified as more serious than a misdemeanor but still a minor crime.

In reading the report of these abuses I failed to find anything within those documents that I would consider minor.

Look for these women to make plea agreements and see those pentalties shrink from the slap on the wrist they are now, to a virtual pat on the back with a, "Promise not to do it again?"

Absolutely deplorable.

Start writing your representatives in the legislature. These laws need to change!

Posted by Katiekalikimaka (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 12:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

philly: The article you sited is indeed VERY, VERY interesting.

I live practically on the other side of the world, so I do not have a clue about MN politics / laws.

As a nurse, who maintained my patient's dignity at all times, and upheld patient confidentiality, the deviant behavior of these girls leaves me nauseated in utter disbelief.

40something: I too would like to have someone explain how the MN Statute you referred to does not apply to these girls.

Nik: Sorry about your son. The "victim"who fights back reaps the punishment. Our world is one big mess. I am so sick of the evil that is allowed to go on and on.
God forbid someone fights back, talks back or whatever.

Then you have these deranged individuals having their sadomasochistic way with mentally incapacitated, and physically helpless patients, and look which way the scale of justice tips. Lady Justice should forget about her scale bring her sword down on this cadre of perverts.

I am so mad!

Posted by MNNURSE (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO GET THE CHARGES TO FIT THE CRIME??
THESE GIRLS ARE SEX OFFENDERS.
WHAT CAN WE DO?

Posted by lindaj (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The issue here is the barbaric abuse of elderly citizens who could not defend themselves or escape the horrible crimes inflited upon them!! Lets focus on the issue!!

I am not only appalled and infuriated with the lewd, criminal acts of these animals, but I am even more outraged at the fact no one stop the horrid acts of violence.

The possible sentences do not match the crimes, and public outrage is a necessary course of action. No punishment is great enough for these crimes. If that happened to one of my parents or love ones, these animals would not make it to trial.

No doubt, this facility should be closed immediately. The administration should face charges as well. File suit and make sure that this insanity and brutal behavior cease to exist.

Again, the sentences should match the crimes!!! Stiffer sentences should be legislated for these crimes!!!

What has happened to this society?

Posted by taxpayer (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm right with you on this MNNURSE if you find out please let me know

Posted by goodolboy (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What ever happened to justice in society? They should be punished for their deeds and not lightly as they are. What happened to the good ol' days of lynch mobs?

Posted by trimotor (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A few bad apples don't spoil the whole bunch. My wife is at Good Samaritan. There are many good poeple working there. These girls are not guilty yet. A lot of poeple have already tried them and found them guilty. Isn't this America where you are innocent until proven guility! If found guilty then the punishment should fit the crime that was committed. The parents of these girls need our support. We as parents cannot always control the actions of our children. Hopefully we have done a good job raizing them and things like this won't happen. But sin is in this world and poeple make mistakes. Forgiveness is hard to give out, but we all need it. None of us are sinless.

Posted by AzAce (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I cannot believe the slap on the wrist these defendents will get. A caregiver in Wisconsin faces charges of fondling three patients and they are talking about a $300,000 fine and 120 years in the slammer. Check this website: http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/c...
It is my understanding that we are talking about much more than fondling in Albert Lea....What gives? The minimal penalty that Freeborn County is talking about is an insult to every citizen in the county!

Posted by anasgrammy (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think we all pretty much knew that with Nelson in charge these perverts would just get a slap on the wrist. And just imagine how much time and money was put into this investigation. For what? They won't even get any jail time. And Nelson thinks he needs that raise he just got. I'd like to make that kind of money for doing nothing. This does not make this city look like a desirable place to bring a business or anything else. What a joke. These girls should be in jail. It seems they've done alot more than what we knew about. How long has this behavior been going on? They should go to jail and have to register as sex offenders because that's exactly what they are. My mother was at Good Sam for many years with alzheimers and was always treated wonderfully. I'm glad she was gone before these pervs started there. She may have been one of their victims. I don't blame Good Sam for this. They give their residents excellent care and they had no idea these girls would do what they did. You can't give everyone a psych eval before hireing them.

Posted by lordus0317 (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If the tribune is still seeking the identities, they should learn to do more investigating.
All you have to do is find the court document. It shows the date of birth and the girls first, middle, and last initial. The go to public records, or a website like ancestry.com and use the girls birthdays, assume they are from AL, and then double check your facts.
I did it and found out all the names. I sent them to the editor. I hope she uses them.

Posted by realtree (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

what if anything will the county attorney do now that this is on national news? Will he be BIASED OR UNBIASED i am confussed here is there some prefrential treatment? can he not make a call and EXCUSE himself from the case do to conflict of intrest? it will be up to him how he represents albert lea! and so far the national news is reporting his QUOTE " If found guilty, they “most likely will face suspended jail sentences and probation,”
I have seen charges worse than this just get to walk! I would hope the people of albert lea come together and see this thing is completed in the fairest way! the comminunity needs to know the rest of the world knows we did the right thing under the fullest extent of the law! there should be some sort of peace of mind for the family members of the VICTIMS to know this comminunity is sending out a message break the law and be immoral you pay the price!

Posted by richards (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hello community of Albert Lea, I am from Florida and I read this story for the first time today. This is a horrible story for all involved and your community. I have an elderly mother in an assisted living facility and cannot imagine having to deal with this sort of issue. I believe these people should serve time and I think the community needs to back this, maybe by some type of petition to the court full of signatures demanding justice. Good luck and may god help the families and residents to cope.

Posted by phxguy (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Had both Brianna Marie Broitzman and Ashton Michelle Larson were men, they would already be in jail pending trial.

Young people, especially those in their late teens and 20s, are self-absorbed and possess no basic common courtesies. Having young people as neighbors is also rough. Here in the Phoenix area where I live, we have a couple of planned communities where you need to be 55 to live in. When I turn 55, that's where I'll move to just to get away from self-absorbed young people.

Posted by demo1960 (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I did work at Good Sam's some years back. Not in a nursing capacity but in an area of the facility that brought be close to the administrator. I could tell you some things that would not bring a good light to Mark Anderson. He lacks empathy and is worried about the bottom line which is actually his job. But like I said his lack of empathy in some cases really bothered me. I think that a person can bring the right balance if they work at it. My opinion of the HR director who did the hiring is very low also and it was well known in the facility she was lacking in effort to fill the positions. Actually she was, to be blunt, lazy. I don't know if she is still there. But who scheduled these girls to work in the Ahlzeimer Unit? Maybe someone should check out the name of the person and see if it is the same as it was a few years back. The last name might be familiar to any of you who has read these stories.

Posted by RHipp170 (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank goodness for the Minnesota Department of Health investigation. Nursing Homes have an inherent responsibility to monitor staff education and behavior. In the same way that there is video monitoring of ATM sites, I believe that there should be video monitoring of vulnerable individuals in nursing homes, with appropriate safeguards for patient confidentiality.

Posted by astates (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

morgan walton's mom also works at good sam. i wonder how she feels about it. i used to work at good sam and i could never imagine morgan doing this to a resident. i hope these girls get jail time!!!! this is just BS! they need to sit in jail and pay the maximum fine!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by scurvydog (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

These girls should be sentenced to a prison for men. That's right, men.

Oh wait, that would put them at a very high risk for sexual assault with no means of defending themselves, wouldn't it?

Posted by astates (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

scurvydog....that would be great to put them in a prison w men with no means of defending themselves....but they might like that....

Posted by astates (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

to demo1960.....i agree that mark anderson is a horrible administrartor. and the DON is just as bad.

Posted by emilia97 (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How much will the fact these girls are pretty, young, and white play in the justice process. It has been an advantage in past cases of teachers abusing underage kids as well as others too numerous to name. If and when this case goes to court please take notice and see if justice is blind.

Posted by lordus0317 (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 1:06 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by CACTUS (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AZ ACE....

The slap on the wrist is from the fact that the county att KNOWS the perps family's parents.

Bottom line here is that criag nelson should remove himself from this court case because of this. The new procecuter should re-charge them with the correct charges and then go to trial.

Posted by astates (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

they should be charged with felonies, not gross misdemeanors!

Posted by minnmom (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i can not belive that this is just a misdemeranor that is crazy i know one of the girls and the whole fam. i also work with va. people and i could never think of any one hurting one of my guys i would be pissed off. i can not belive that they did this "for fun" as they say. they give lots of people bad names witch sucks. i feel bad for the famileys that are involved in this.

Posted by jai (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I find what these teenagers did, especially these two high school seniors abhorant. These two perverted young women need to be registered as sex offenders, should be required to perform community service, should be required to seek psychological counseling, and should be required to speak to junior and senior high school students about their short-comings related to their repulsive actions. I wonder what their parents are like? Sometimes the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Posted by reddingcalifspin96001 (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 2:15 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by minnmom (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i have to say that the parents are good people from what i know but then agine i thought one of the girls was a good person i just cant blame the famileys cuz i know them and im sure they are just as schocked as all of us but i dont think they should be helping them get off i think they should make them deal with all the people and lawyers make these girls do it and pay the price for what they did

Posted by Cheyenne (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Two words:
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!!!!

Posted by NYork (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who's holding Mr. Anderson accountable for the decision to place these unsupervised girls in the Angel Wing or any other ward? The buck needs to stop at his door.

Posted by headscratcher (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I just saw that Mark Anderson on the news and he gave me the creeps! YUCK!!!!
Can anyone attend the sentencing on Jan. 21?

Posted by glass_half_full (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 6:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There is a level of responsibility we all must take and that is ownership for our actions. These individuals need to step up to the plate and for once be responsible. You are getting your fifteen minutes of fame, how does it feel? I hope you are not laughing too much now, you have branded yourselves for life because if you have any remorse the pain you placed on others will be with you every day. You will grow up some day and hopefully you will see your parents grow old and you as the child will have to make the difficult decision to place your parents in a care facility and I hope you think everyday about what you did to the elderly from your past and can sleep at night not worrying about the care your parents deserve. Love of others is what God asks of us and you need to go to church and ask God for forgiveness and then turn to the families and friends that you have hurt and ask them to forgive you too. You should not ask for an easy way out but pay the price for your admitted actions and speak the words "I'm sorry".

Posted by ElderLaw (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 6:15 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by eastcoastgal (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For their crimes; behind bars, an eye for an eye.
Justice serves her prisoners with equal punishment. Have a nice time girls.

Posted by jude417 (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As the daughter of an 88 year old Mother and 94 year old father, I was shocked to read about this case on the Smoking Gun. Both parents are in a nursing home and Mother has Alzheimer's. My first thought was would they do that to their parents or grandparents and then I began to worry about what might happen to my parents. Such attractive girls on the outside, but pure evil on the inside. I applaud the police department and pray these young woman spend at least 1 year in jail. Probation should be out of the question! Any abuse of young children or older adults should be jail time for the abuser. (defenseless humans) If it were an animal they would go to jail!
Jude from Missouri

Posted by mommyof3 (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 7:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is just sick to say i know one of the girls very well and they are not going to do jail tim. I brother in law broke into his own house and is doing 8 years. WTF is wrong with are courts.

Posted by jude417 (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I liked the idea of a men's prison, but the comment "they might like it" is probably true. My idea was a womans prison and ( pardon the politically incorrect word) a big "dyke" would take care of them!

Posted by ElderLaw (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I really hope that the relatives of the elderly residents at the nursing home, bring a law suit against Brianna Broitzman and Ashton Larson, for abusing their helpless, disabled relatives. Abusing a disabled person, is discrimination against a person with disabilities, and is against the law, and therefore punishable by law. It is also against the law to discriminate against someone because of their age. Brianna Broitzman and Ashton Larson, the two abusers of the disabled and elderly, should be sued for their future earnings. Also, both of them should serve jail time for their physical, sexual, mental and emotional abuse of the disabled and the elderly. If a man had sexually abused 15 elderly, disabled residents, he would have been considered a serial sex offender and would have been sent to prison for years!

Posted by 1234carman (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 9:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some one needs to start a pettition to have the prosecutor removed from this case.

Posted by free2bme (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FYI: Good Sam's Alzheimer unit "Angel Wing" has been closed for several years. Poor federal funding put an end to that. Get your facts straight! Alzheimer residents are integrated into the general population. We can also thank our federal government for taking away much needed money to care for our elderly. Most of the residents are on medicare/social security/ medical assistance and the reimbursement for services is extremely low. It's a wonder that nursing homes can even stay open. Maybe we have to go back to taking care of our own. We could learn something from other cultures. You won't see many elderly Hispanic or Somalian individuals in a nursing home because their families take care of them.

Posted by dolphin (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

THE ANGELS WING HAD ONLY BEEN CLOSED FOR ABOUT A YEAR.

Posted by crysandclay (anonymous) on December 4, 2008 at 11:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PUT IT THIS WAY::: ANYONE ABLE TO SHOW UP ON JAN. 21-BE THERE!

Posted by astates (anonymous) on December 5, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i wish i could show up on jan 21st...but i live in colorado now..... i hope they get prison time! ugh this makes me sick! i currently work in a nursing home and i could never imagine the things those girls did....ugh. disgusting. i dont even know what to say anymore. i hope those girls get what they deserve!!!!!!

Posted by dolphin (anonymous) on December 5, 2008 at 12:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Did they release all of the names yet?

Posted by aka_sodapop (anonymous) on December 5, 2008 at 2:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This in regards to the two teen caregivers that have been charged with physical, sexual and emotional abuse of 15 Alzheimer's disease and dementia patients at a Minnesota nursing home; Brianna Marie Broitzman, and Ashton Michelle Larson.

After reading the police report and hearing of this incident over the news……..This sickens me and I am completely appalled! I think these young women need to be charges as adults, should do serious jail time Also they should be put on the sexual offenders list.

These women should have to pay for the consequences of their actions….. anyone else would, I really don’t care of their age or if they were voted the prettiest, most popular or were on the pep squad- what they did was WRONG.

I worked in nursing for twenty two years and started at the age of sixteen, I worked with Alzheimer's patients for six years; I… nor did anyone I every worked with, ever did anything like what these women did. They should be ashamed of themselves, and should be held accountable for their actions. These women are deviants in the eye of society and especially in the eyes of the medical field.

I believe in karma and may God have pity on your souls girls, and if not remember what goes around comes around- I hope when that happens, you can laugh as you did when you did those unspeakable things to those elderly people. I hope you carry the sorrow of those patients and family members for eternity.

To the patients and family members my heart goes out to you.

Totally Appalled in Colorado

Posted by jill (anonymous) on December 5, 2008 at 2:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

These young women have put their community on the map for all the world to see. They have disgraced their victims, their victims' families, their own families, their communities, and God. They have villified what a Good Samaritan stands for. It is for these reasons that they must serve jail time, do community service, and pay stiff penalites, get mental evaluations as well as psychological counseling. If not, then the legal system has made a mockery of all victims because it selects out certain individuals while handing out stiff penalties for those who commit lesser crimes but who may be less blond, less cheerleadery, less attractive. Their parents have failed them miserably, but society should not have to look the other way. I would be very leery of this nursing home and others after reading this story, because you expect some semblance of guardianship which these victims never had. Shame on the nursing home community for wanting to "put closure" to this case. To the outside world, the book has just been opened. Joan Harlin

Posted by FLY (anonymous) on December 5, 2008 at 4:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

When MADD (Mothers against drunk driving) started their campaign to have stricter laws against drunk driving, and to have existing laws enforced, they started monitoring drunk driving cases as they made their way through the legal system. This tactic helped change people's behavior. It decreased the incidents of DUI.

This tactic should be used in this case of alleged elder abuse. I suggest packing the courtroom when these two appear on Jan. 21 at 11 am. The judge would see that this matter is important to us. The prosecutor who inexplicably seems to think that torturing the elderly is so trivial that jail time is not needed, might learn that his viewpoint is in the minority.

Also, if this case goes to trial, victim impact statements can be read. I believe anyone can make a statement. Even if the cases don't go to trial, victim impact statements can be forwarded to the judge, who I believe should take them into consideration when deciding to accept a plea bargain.

I would also suggest looking up the prosecutor's phone number and email and contacting him directly. Unfortunately, the Albert Lea Tribune has taken down the contact information when posted in the comment section. (What's up with that?)

See you Jan 21st at 11 am!

Posted by littlet (anonymous) on December 5, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I live in New York State, and when I read about this in my local newspaper, it made me sick to my stomach. Especially after reading some of these comments. It sounds to me, like these girls have some serious psychological issues that need to be addressed. I worked in a Nursing Home for about 10 years, and would never have dreamed of doing such a thing. My dad died 2 years ago of alzheimer's, and if anyone had ever done anything like this to him, I would have done some serious bodily injury to that person. That, in my opinion, is the worst thing that could ever happen to a person. What makes these girls think they have the right to take advantage of someone so mentally ill? I also have a sister that is mentally handicapped, and if one or both of these girls harassed mentally handicapped students, like one of these readers suggests, that tells me that there are some serious issues going on with these girls. I think both young ladies need to go to prison for what they did, and I also think they need some psychatric help. It should also be ordered by the judge that they are never able to work in a human services position of any kind ever.

Posted by tengstrom (Tim Engstrom) on December 5, 2008 at 7:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here is the link to the county attorney's office. Go from there, instead. Don't post the guy's e-mail address.
http://www.co.freeborn.mn.us/attorney/de...

Posted by dolphin (anonymous) on December 5, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

they have already printed 2 of the minors names so apparently they dont care

Posted by dolphin (anonymous) on December 5, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Plus teenagers in albert lea watch my children and i wouldnt want any of them to be around them. Even if they were not the ones doing it they seem just as guilty cause they let it go on for so long when it could have stopped

Posted by Cheyenne (anonymous) on December 5, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As to packing the court room on 21 Jan 08. Yes all adult criminal proceedings are public in nature, however in this instance because of all of the public outrage I'm sure the County Atty/Defense Atty will figure out a way ahead of time to close off the proceedings to the public. I'm sure thier is a loophole somewhere that they will exploit.

Most parents try to teach thier children to be responsible and sometimes no matter how hard the parents try it just doesn't work that way. Larson's father's statements make me believe that he really didn't, as a parent try to teach her to be responsible. Apparently, he didn't read the investigative notes in the charge out sheet. Because if he had there is no way he could believe that the media is twisting this to make it more sensational. She admitted to the investigating officers what she did/ witnessed. I do believe that Mr Nelson should have charged out differently because what these girls admitted to appears to fit the definition of sexual predation.
But Mr Nelson has to charge based on what he believes he can prove in court, and getting one in the win column is all he is about. I believe he should recuse himself from this case as he earlier this spring stated he was sending this to State Atty's Office to make sure there was no bias.

Posted by dillon (anonymous) on December 5, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We can all only hope that these girls will spend time in prison for their actions. Not only did they abuse their victims in a horrific way, they have emotionally abused the victims families. I'm glad this has made national news. Everyone needs to be aware that abuse in nursing homes takes place everywhere and that the care of our loved ones should be supervised more closely to ensure they are safe and protected from this kind of harm. Hopefully we'll be seeing these girls in prison clothes being locked behind bars for years, showing their generation and those to come what a "lack of morals and sensitivity" will get you........put behind bars/nowhere!

Posted by demo1960 (anonymous) on December 5, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

While it doesn't excuse what happened the funding for nursing homes is abhorrent. Ask anyone who works at a nursing home what their average yearly wage increase is. And then return to the story of our county employees getting a wage increase. The reasoning for paltry raises in the nursing homes are excused by the lack of money the state of MN has. Evidently it doesn't matter that the county has a deficit. Who did the math when they approved these raises? You can't get a positive out of a negative can you?

Posted by realtree (anonymous) on December 5, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)

those that want to contact city/county officials

http://www.city.albertlea.org/officials....

http://www.co.freeborn.mn.us/attorney/de...

Posted by vikings08 (anonymous) on December 5, 2008 at 11:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Any thoughts on any other nursing homes in town?

Posted by steve1 (anonymous) on December 6, 2008 at 3:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

These girls were doing nothing more than nurses do,
abusing male patients. All female nurses grope unconscious male patients. This happens all the
time in hospitals. All female nurses are perverts
and unprofessional. Where do you think these girls
got the idea! Time to smell the coffee people.

Posted by brokewhitegirl (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Rosie:
I started college when I was 16, took my CNA at 16, and have worked as a CNA/TMA while I was getting my RN. Yes, a lot of people under 21 are immature, but I can think of a lot of people over 21 who are too. I never hurt my residents.

Demo,
while working at St. Johns, we got a cost of living raise that equaled about .5 cents for me, and they told us "be happy, at least we are getting something"

Posted by minnesotaguy (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would like to say i am very disappointed in the residents of Albert Lea that are getting involved in the "witch hunt". Don't get me wrong the girls should be held accountable for their actions, but do you think the state just gave the case back to Nelson without any advice or suggestions as to what he could actually charge them with? In my opinion Albert Lea is a great place to live there is alot of caring and extremely nice people in our community! Why can't we drop the witch hunt until the COURT system releases the names (not all the wanna be detectives posting) And concentrate on restoring the name of our town? There can be alot of great things going on in your town, but it seems the few with way too much negative energy seem to bring everyone else's attitudes down. If your not happy with something in our town - GET OUT THERE and help make it better! The nation is watching Albert Lea, MN....what better time to band together and show them that we are better then that?

Posted by metisman (anonymous) on December 10, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whoa, Steve. Nasty. You are kidding or exaggerating for effect, right?

Posted by ngc182 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mark Anderson is a great man, he cares about every single person that he comes in contact with, he would never just ignore this situation in hopes that it would go away. and the fact that one of the girls was a captain of the Dance Team means nothing about the team itself. The girl in question was a captain her junior year, and preceeded to quit her senior year. ALOT can change about a high school student in one year. just because she was a captain at some point in time does not meant that the whole team should be brought down by one stupid girl's actions!

Posted by jill (anonymous) on January 19, 2009 at 12:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I look forward to seeing what the verdicts will be for these teen thugs. The rest of the country is watching. Victims' rights must come first.