UPDATE: Therapist who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing former patient requests light sentence; date postponed until March
(ABC 6 News) – Mandy Erin Hyland, a former Rochester therapist who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a client, will be sentenced in early March.
Hyland, 43, filed a motion for a downward departure, or light sentence compared to the average sentence for a crime on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
Her defense claimed, in a 10-page document, that Hyland should only be sentenced to probation “given her particular amenability” to probation and alleged cooperation with law enforcement.
Hyland was re-arrested in October after Olmsted County staff allegedly found copious evidence that she had been in close contact with the former patient from whom she had been ordered to maintain distance. She was released at the end of the same month after entering her guilty plea.
According to the court filing rescheduling the sentencing, Olmsted County Attorney Ariana Whitney said that as “probation is recommending an executed sentence,” she would need to be present at the sentencing.
According to the dispositional filing, Olmsted County’s community corrections staff recommended that Hyland be sentenced in accordance with normal guidelines — a 41- to 57-month sentence.
An executed sentence is served in jail or prison — not probation.
Hyland’s guilty plea stated that the prosecution would not request more than 30 days of jail time at sentencing — if she was found amenable to probation.
Hyland’s sentencing was rescheduled for March 5, 2024.
—–PREVIOUS STORY—–
(ABC 6 News) – A Rochester therapist pleaded guilty to 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct–prohibited occupational relationship in Olmsted County Court Tuesday, Oct. 31.
Mandy Erin Hyland, 43, was released from the Adult Detention Center ahead of her sentencing, scheduled for Jan. 3, 2024.
Hyland had been held in the Olmsted County jail since Oct. 5, after being accused of violating the terms of her bail and contacting her alleged victim over the summer.
According to Hyland’s plea agreement, she entered the guilty plea in exchange for the prosecution’s agreement to recommend no more than 30 days’ confinement, assuming Hyland is amenable to probation.
Additionally, the prosecution will not oppose Hyland’s request to be released from GPS monitoring ahead of her sentencing, according to plea documents.
Hyland was originally released from the Adult Detention Center July of this year, on the condition that she would have no contact with the alleged victim and would stay away from his residence.
However, court documents entered in late September stated that an Adult Detention Center worker had viewed video visits with the alleged victim after he was taken into custody on unrelated charges, and noticed an unusual number of calls from “Karen Bjellum,” who had no other identifying information logged and was covering her camera during the recorded video calls.
The staffer heard mentions of pending legal cases and suspected that “Karen Bjellum” might be Mandy Hyland. They told the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office about the incidents and suspended the account.
Another police report entered in late September claimed that Rochester law enforcement found photos, videos, and text messages from Hyland on the man’s phone, dating to August and September — after the order to maintain a distance from her alleged victim.
—–PREVIOUS STORY—–
(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE: Mandy Erin Hyland was booked back into the Adult Detention Center Thursday evening, after her bail was increased to $1 million.
A Rochester therapist accused of sexually abusing a former patient appeared in court Thursday, Oct. 5, after allegations that she had violated the terms of her bail by contacting her alleged victim in August.
Mandy Erin Hyland, 43, was accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a vulnerable adult she treated in April of this year.
According to court documents, the alleged victim had tried to cut contact with Hyland, and checked himself into the Southeast Minnesota Regional Crisis Center after she tracked down his new contact information.
Rochester police issued an arrest warrant for Hyland in late June.
Hyland was released in July on the condition that she would have no contact with the alleged victim and would stay away from his residence.
However, court documents entered in late September state that an Adult Detention Center worker had viewed video visits with the alleged victim after he was taken into custody on unrelated charges, and noticed an unusual number of calls from “Karen Bjellum,” who had no other identifying information logged and was covering her camera during the recorded video calls.
The staffer heard mentions of pending legal cases and suspected that “Karen Bjellum” might be Many Hyland. They told the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office about the incidents and suspended the account.
Another police report entered in late September claims that Rochester law enforcement found photos, videos, and text messages from Hyland on the man’s phone, dating to August and September — after the order to maintain a distance from her alleged victim.
The police report claims that a corrections officer also heard “Karen Bjellum” ‘slip up’ and call herself “Mandy” during a September conversation.
On Oct. 5, Judge Joseph Chase set Hyland’s new bail amount at $1 million.
ABC 6 News has requested notice from the Adult Detention Center if Hyland is booked back into the ADC.