Cambridge Treatment Worker Sentenced in Patient Sexual Conduct Case
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A former mental health worker was sentenced after pleading guilty to a felony sexual conduct charge involving a patient.
The woman pled guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving contact within a prohibited occupational relationship.
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An additional charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct was dismissed at sentencing as part of the plea agreement.
A judge sentenced Lisa Marie Rosenau, 40, of Bethel, to a 24-month prison term, but stayed execution of the sentence for 10 years and placed her on supervised probation through Feb. 25, 2036. The sentence requires Rosenau to serve 90 days in the Isanti County Jail.
She must comply with extensive probation conditions, including completing sex offender treatment, counseling and psychological programming as directed by probation agents. She is also prohibited from possessing firearms, must remain law-abiding and must submit to random chemical testing.
The court also imposed strict behavioral restrictions tied to the nature of the offense. Rosenau is barred from unsupervised contact with vulnerable females, cannot hold positions of authority over vulnerable people and may not access internet-capable devices without prior approval and monitoring. She is also prohibited from possessing sexually explicit material and must comply with predatory offender registration requirements.
READ MORE > Isanti County coverage
As part of sentencing, the court ordered $60,000 to be paid in restitution, with payment arrangements to be determined through probation. Additional fines and fees totaling $285 were also imposed.
According to the criminal complaint, the case stemmed from a relationship that began while the victim was receiving residential mental health treatment at Lotus Grace in Cambridge, where Rosenau worked as a mental health practitioner. Investigators alleged the sexual relationship occurred while the victim was a patient at the adult residential program, creating a prohibited occupational relationship.
PREVIOUSLY: Bethel Woman Charged for Relationship with Patient at Mental Health Program
During the investigation, law enforcement reviewed text messages between Rosenau and the patient. Authorities say the messages contained sexually explicit content, nude images and videos, along with messages in which Rosenau expressed wanting to have sex and referenced not wanting to get in trouble while limiting communication.
The victim had been civilly committed due to mental health struggles, including bipolar disorder, PTSD and substance use, conditions that impaired her ability to give reasoned consent under Minnesota law.
Following an initial court appearance, Rosenau was released under court-ordered conditional release supervision with no bail required and remained out of custody during the case. She was ordered to report to the Isanti County Jail within two weeks to complete booking.
The woman pled guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving contact within a prohibited occupational relationship.