Officers were told an employee of a group home, Catharine Rhetta Ziemer, [DOB REDACTED] (“Defendant”), was having sexual relations with an adult male resident of a group home (“Victim”). Officers spoke to an employee (“Witness”) of the group home. Witness said Defendant was an employee of a company providing services to residents of the group home and was Victim’s job coach. Defendant also worked for the owner of the group home where Victim resided. Witness said Victim [NAME REDACTED] had borderline personality disorder.
Witness told Officers Defendant admitted to Witness that she was having a sexual relationship with Victim [NAME REDACTED] was an employee of a group home. Defendant admitted that she would sneak into Victim’s residence through a window at night to have sex with him. Victim told Witness that she exchanged text messages with Defendant that included nudity. Witness told Officers he recorded interviews of both Defendant and Victim [NAME REDACTED]. Officers spoke with Victim [NAME REDACTED]. Victim [NAME REDACTED] had been having sex with Defendant for four or five months.
Victim said when the sexual contact first began, he would leave the group home and meet Defendant down the street. They would then have sex in Defendant’s car. Victim [NAME REDACTED] was worried about getting caught in her car, so Defendant began sneaking into Victim’s bedroom through a window. Victim [NAME REDACTED] did not force him to have sex. Victim said he used a condom only a couple of times, otherwise had unprotected vaginal sex with Defendant. Victim [NAME REDACTED] had sex with Defendant more times than he could count.
Victim [NAME REDACTED], they had sex almost everyday. Victim told Officers he knew what Defendant was doing was wrong. Victim [NAME REDACTED] is a listed as a vulnerable adult with the state. Victim said his disabilities are being bipolar and having borderline personality disorder. Officers confirmed with Victim’s guardian that Victim is listed as a vulnerable adult with Houston County, Minnesota. Officers went to Defendant’s home to speak with Defendant. After being advised of her 2 85-CR-26-39 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 1/9/2026 Miranda rights, Defendant agreed to speak with Officers.
Defendant admitted having sexual relations with Victim. Defendant said it was going on for four months. Defendant said she worked at a company providing services to residents of the group home and was Victim’s job coach. Defendant admitted she knew that she was not allowed to have sex with group home clients. Defendant said they had sex approximately ten times. Defendant admitted she had vaginal penetration with Victim’s penis. Defendant also admitted she was aware that Victim was a vulnerable adult.
Defendant was upset when she spoke with Officers and said, “I’m the one that did it,” “I’m the one that’s responsible,” and “I’m the one that deserves to go to jail.” Officers received a new MAARC report regarding Victim. An employee of a medical facility where Victim [NAME REDACTED] reported that Victim had described his sexual relationship with Defendant. The employee told Officers that Victim [NAME REDACTED] into the relationship because of his professional relationship with Defendant. Defendant was arrested and transported to the Winona County Jail without incident.
