On November 6, 2025, the Wright County Sheriff's Office learned of a sexual assault disclosure from a twelve-year-old female, born in 2013, hereinafter Complainant, reported by a school counselor. Complainant, who resides in Wright County, Minnesota, disclosed that her stepfather, Michael Jason Lee Rooney [DOB REDACTED], hereinafter Defendant, had touched Complainant inappropriately. Complainant declined to to participate in a forensic interview that day. Detectives LeMire and Grimstad of the Wright County Sheriff's Office interviewed Defendant on November 6, 2025. Defendant was aware of the reason detectives were at his home in Wright County, where he resided with Complainant.
Defendant noted two incidents where Complainant may have believed sexual misconduct occurred. In one incident, Defendant was helping Complainant with homework while in Complainant's room. Complainant started roughhousing with Defendant and Defendant touched Complainant's groin unintentionally. When Detective LeMire asked Defendant why Complainant would say Defendant touched Complainant's vagina on the inside of her clothes, Defendant responded that he may have done that while in Complainant's bedroom.
Defendant talked about not actively seeking out Complainant's vagina. When asked if he touched Complainant's vagina on the inside of Complainant's clothes, Complainant responded, "I would not deny it." Upon inquiry, Defendant said the most recent time he touched Complainant's vagina was a week-and-a-half earlier while in Complainant's bedroom helping with homework. While in Complainant's bedroom, Defendant demonstrated how he laid on the bed in a normal fashion and Complainant laid across the bed horizontally, towards the top.
Defendant's head would have been near Complainant's head. Defendant said that is when he touched Complainant's vagina. Defendant noted he never touched Complainant's vagina from the top down, but rather from the bottom, sliding clothing to the side. In another incident, Defendant and Complainant were watching Saturday Night Live in the living room. Roughhousing between the two had gone too far and Defendant bit the side of Complainant's breast. Complainant told Defendant she did not want that and went upstairs; Defendant was glad Complainant set a boundary after Defendant bit her breast.
Defendant said Complainant always wore bras and underwear. There were times Defendant would try to lift Complainant off the floor, causing Complainant's shirt and bra to lift and exposing Complainant's breasts. Defendant reported biting Complainant's breast when her breast was exposed. Detective LeMire spoke with Complainant's friend, who confirmed that Complainant disclosed Defendant had been touching Complainant and looking at Complainant's breasts. Detective LeMire spoke with Complainant's mother on November 19, 2025. Complainant's mother disclosed that Complainant had opened up about Defendant touching Complainant's private area and biting Complainant on the breast.
