Melissa Rose Knutson, Readstown, Wisconsin Nurse, Sentenced to 18 Months in Jail After Admitting to Sexual Relationship with Patient and Filing False Assault Accusation

Melissa Rose Knutson, a nurse from Readstown, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to 18 months in jail after admitting she engaged in a sexual relationship with a male patient and later falsely accused him of sexual assault.

According to the Monroe County District Attorney's Office, Knutson pleaded guilty on Feb. 27 to misconduct in public office and obstructing an officer. In addition to her prison sentence, she will serve two years of extended supervision following her release.

Prosecutors stated that while working as a nurse assigned to a participant in drug court, Knutson “repeatedly” engaged in sexual intercourse with the patient. The encounters were later reported to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.

After the relationship came under scrutiny, prosecutors said Knutson accused the patient of sexually assaulting her. Authorities later determined the allegation was fabricated. Knutson eventually admitted she made the false accusation to avoid facing professional and legal consequences for the inappropriate relationship.

During sentencing, Judge Paul Curran described Knutson’s actions as “despicable” and said she was “an embarrassment to nurses everywhere.” He also questioned the depth of her remorse, stating it appeared “a mile wide and an inch deep.”

District Attorney Kevin Croninger said in a statement that the harm caused by Knutson was “deep and significant,” emphasizing that she violated the trust between nurse and patient and further compounded the situation by making a false sexual assault accusation. He noted that the case was particularly troubling because the patient was participating in a drug court program.

The case highlights serious ethical violations within healthcare settings and the legal consequences that can follow misconduct and false reporting.