A nurse in Wisconsin has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to an inappropriate sexual relationship with a patient under her care and falsely accusing him of sexual assault when the matter came under investigation.
Melissa Knutson, 30, a former nurse in Monroe County, was also ordered to complete two years of extended supervision following her prison term. She pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office and obstructing an officer in connection with the incident, which took place in 2022 while she was working with the county’s drug court programme.
Court records show that Knutson was responsible for administering Vivitrol, a medication used in the treatment of substance use disorders, to participants in the programme.
Prosecutors said she engaged in repeated sexual encounters with one of the patients assigned to her.
The relationship came to light after the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services received complaints suggesting that an inappropriate connection existed between the nurse and the patient.
When investigators first confronted her about the allegations, Knutson claimed the man had sexually assaulted her. She said she initially kept quiet because she feared he might harm her or members of her family.
However, investigators later obtained text messages exchanged between the two which contradicted her claim. The messages showed that Knutson had initiated the relationship and had indicated she would deny any wrongdoing if the situation became public.
During court proceedings, she eventually admitted that the assault allegation was false and had been made in an attempt to avoid the consequences of the relationship.
Drug court programmes are designed to provide treatment and supervision for individuals struggling with substance abuse who are placed under court monitoring instead of incarceration.
Participants are typically required to comply with strict conditions as part of their rehabilitation process.
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