Woman charged after assaulting vulnerable adult in Fergus Falls

FERGUS FALLS, MINN. (Valley News Live) – An Alexandria, Minnesota woman is facing charges after attacking a vulnerable adult in her care at a group home in Fergus Falls.

Ashley Jade Simons, 23, is charged with fourth-degree assault on a vulnerable adult and criminal abuse by a caregiver.

On Nov. 18, a Fergus Falls police officer was called to a hospital after receiving reports that a vulnerable adult had been attacked at a group home in Fergus Falls.

Court documents show the victim’s counselor told police they had video of the victim being assaulted after previously suspecting abuse. The provider admitted Simons on November 17.

Documents say one video shows Simons feeding the victim before becoming upset, getting up and kicking the victim in the head twice. In another video, Simons is seen kicking a footrest she had been sitting on before physically removing the victim from an armchair. Documents show that it is unclear whether Simons grabbed the victim’s hair or collar due to the camera angle. However, it was clear that the victim was not helped out of the chair as both her hands and arms were in camera view.

Documents say in another video, Simons sees the victim walking back to an armchair from another room. Simons pushed the victim into the armchair and shouted: ‘Sit down now!’ “Enough!” Simons then hit the victim’s knee before walking into the kitchen. When the victim got out of the armchair and started walking towards the kitchen, Simons stormed towards her. The victim tried to get out of the way, but Simons grabbed her wrists before pushing the victim to the ground and shouting, “Get down!” Simons then moved furniture in front of the entrance to the living room where the victim was located.

Simons told officers that the victim was usually laughing and playing, but she did not seem like herself after the assault.

A Grand Forks sheriff’s deputy spoke with Simons on the phone and she admitted she took out her frustration on the victim, saying she shouldn’t have done that. She also told police that nothing like this had ever happened before and that there was a lot going on in her personal life.

Simon’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 31.

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