Monday, September 22, 2008

Shirley Meade update

Burnett County, Minnesota - In early September FRIDA reported on the death of 49-year-old Shirley Meade, a Minnesota woman with developmental disabilities, after a Trade Lake Camp worker had given her the wrong medication and allowed her to die. According to WEAU News, the camp worker, Marjorie Ann Hjelseth, is now charged with second degree reckless homicide and recklessly subjecting an individual at risk to abuse causing death. The criminal complaint shows that Ms Hjelseth gave Shirley Meade the wrong medication, and when she realized it, she allowed Meade to "sleep it off." It also shows that Ms Hjelseth then tried to cover up the mistake to investigators. If convicted on all charges, Ms Hjelseth faces up to 65 years in prison. Trade Lake Camp voluntarily shut down, and the state recently revoked its license.