Ex-Boys Totem Town contract therapist gets probation for sexual assault on juvenile patient

A former contract therapist with a Ramsey County juvenile boys treatment facility was sentenced Friday morning to 15 years' probation for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old under her care.

But Karen A. Meyer, 30, could be sent to prison for up to three years if she violates any of the several conditions placed on her probation, including lifelong registration as a predatory offender.

She pleaded guilty in July to third-degree criminal sexual conduct. As a part of the plea deal, authorities dismissed two other counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct from the same case and one count of aiding an offender in a related case.

Meyer was charged earlier this year in Ramsey County District Court with the assault and with helping the 17-year-old escape Boys Totem Town on Feb. 11 by providing him with $100 and transportation. The teen fled with a second boy, who was immediately captured. The first boy made it to Meyer's St. Paul apartment, where the two had sex.

Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Sarah Cory told the court Friday that Meyer abused her power and position as a therapist. The teen was incapable of understanding the gravity of the situation given his age and life circumstances, she said.

"This … offense was committed against a child who was in a very vulnerable situation," Cory said. "She was the adult …"

The criminal complaint filed against Meyer said that she showed the boy preferential treatment, met with him more often than with other patients and made out with him in front of another juvenile while at the facility.

Meyer declined to address the court when given an opportunity to speak.

"Ms. Meyer is contrite and remorseful," said her attorney, John Russo.

Judge Joy Bartscher told Meyer that her background and life experiences gave her the potential to help others.

But instead, the judge, said, "You caused unknown harm to, probably, unknown number of people based on your behavior. It's clear to me … that you have lots of work to do yourself."

Bartscher sentenced Meyer to three years in prison, but stayed that for 15 years' probation. Meyer will have to continue with her chemical dependency, mental health and predatory offender treatment, remain law abiding and abstain from contact with juvenile or vulnerable males, among other conditions.

The judge also ordered her to serve 90 days in a facility equivalent to the county workhouse. She will have to serve the first 30 days and then return to court for evaluation to determine whether she needs to serve the remainder of that time. Meyer will be allowed to leave the facility for treatment and therapy.

Chao Xiong • 612-270-4708

Twitter: @ChaoStrib