WILLMAR -- A 26-year-old Kerkhoven woman made her first court appearance Thursday on a felony charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a mentally handicapped man.
Unconditional bail was set at $30,000 for Amber Marie Stassen. Conditional release was allowed on her personal recognizance, provided she has no contact with the victim. Her next appearance is Aug. 8 in Kandiyohi County District Court.
According to the complaint, Willmar police received information in March that Stassen was having a sexual relationship with a now-19-year-old man at a Willmar group home where she worked. The young man was a resident of the home and was considered a vulnerable adult because of his mental impairments and especially because of his inability to protect himself from sexual abuse.
The investigation revealed that Stassen and the man had sex multiple times in February and March at the group home.
