DHS: Staffer at Grand Rapids youth treatment center had sex with two clients

An investigation found a staff person at a state-licensed adolescent drug treatment center in Grand Rapids, Minn. had sex with two clients at the facility, and did drugs with at least one of them.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services released an investigation memorandum this week concluding that two separate allegations of sexual abuse and neglect occurred at Northland Recovery Center Adolescent Unit. It had investigated four allegations, but was unable to come to a conclusion on two of them.

A criminal complaint filed in Itasca County Court identifies Melanie Lynn Peterson, 30, as the staff person.

According to court documents, last April Peterson allegedly gave drugs to a boy and had sex with him at the facility. She later helped him leave the facility and meet at her apartment, where they abused drugs and had sex.

The DHS memorandum says the staffer, who is not identified, also had sex with another client at the facility, a 17-year-old, whom she allowed to leave without supervision and take mood-altering prescription drugs. The client had started treatment last March.

According to court records, Peterson pleaded guilty to one count of third degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of third degree sale of a controlled substance and one count of depriving another of custodial or parental rights. Four other charges were dropped. She'll be sentenced on July 26.

Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper said in an emailed statement that she is "appalled that a caregiver in a treatment program would provide illegal chemicals to anyone receiving treatment for chemical dependency, and engaging in sexual contact with these kids is very disturbing.

"DHS investigated these allegations at Northland Recovery Center and Northland has taken a number of actions in response to the maltreatment to prevent this from happening again."

The staffer is now disqualified from positions that allow direct contact with youth at DHS-licensed facilities. The disqualification also applies to unlicensed personal care provider organizations. That determination can be appealed.

The DHS memorandum says the policies and procedures at Northland Recovery Center Adolescent Unit are adequate but were not followed.

In response, Northland Recovery Center said it is "pursuing video surveillance cameras for the common areas." It also retrained staff and "provided 'incident-specific' mental health services for staff and clients," who could stay for more treatment at no charge because of what happened, according to DHS.

Several questions sent to the DHS about the investigations were not answered late Friday afternoon.