Patient Who Strangled Nurse With Ankle-Monitor Cord Was On Bond For Attempted Murder
On December 3, 2024, Karen Dedert, a 58-year-old patient, allegedly strangled a registered nurse using the charging cord from her GPS ankle monitor.
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Incident Details
The attack occurred when Dedert, who was receiving treatment at the mental health facility, wrapped her ankle monitor's power cord around the nurse's neck and forcefully tightened it. The nurse sustained strangulation injuries but is expected to recover. Hospital staff immediately contacted law enforcement, leading to Dedert's arrest on attempted murder charges.
Pattern of Violence
This incident represents Dedert's second violent felony charge within 30 days. She was already out on bond for a separate attempted murder charge filed in November 2024, making this attack particularly alarming from a patient safety and risk assessment perspective.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the physical dangers nurses face, particularly in mental health settings, and highlights the need for enhanced safety protocols and risk assessment procedures.
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