ELLSWORTH, Wis. – A nurse accused of amputating a patient’s foot without a doctor’s order asked Judge Elizabeth Rohl for a court-appointed attorney. The judge agreed and delayed further court proceedings for May K. Brown, 38, until an attorney can be arranged. Meanwhile, Brown was released on her own recognizance. The man whose foot was cut off had been admitted to a Spring Valley nursing home with frostbite in both feet. This was in May. He had been living in a house without heat, apparently all winter. His right foot was attached to his leg only by a tendon and roughly two inches of skin.
Brown. Lives in Durand. Commuted 30 miles for her job at Spring Valley Health and Rehab Center. Possible sentence: 46 years and $100,000 fine.