Rochester Therapist Enters Guilty Plea to Felony Sex Abuse Charge

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester therapist today entered a guilty plea to a third-degree criminal sexual conduct charge stemming from an alleged sexual relationship with a patient.

43-year-old Mindy Hyland is scheduled to be sentenced in January. Under the terms of the plea deal, Olmsted County prosecutors have agreed to recommend a jail sentence of no longer than 30 days if a presentence investigation determines she is amenable to probation.

Hyland was released today from the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center without bail pending her sentencing. She had been in custody since early October for violating the terms of her earlier release by allegedly contacting the victim in the case.

The criminal complaint, which was filed in June, alleged she sexually assaulted the patient over a period of several months. Court documents indicate Rochester Police began investigating after the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center submitted a report concerning the allegations. Investigators stated the victim initially denied any abuse had taken place but then sent an email that contained messages indicating there was a sexual relationship.

Court documents say the messages were sent by Hyland and included sexually explicit photos and messages. The evidence also included a series of text messages between the victim and a third party but acknowledged a sexual relationship was taking place. The victim also told investigators that he had gone to Highlands home and that "he grew attached to Hyland all she was his therapist because she was the only person he could trust."

The charges also alleged that the decor of a room at Hyland's former psychiatry office in Rochester was recognized as the background for one of the photos the victim shared with his probation officer. It was also alleged that investigators matched the background of another sexually explicit photo sent to the victim by Hyland with a room in her home.

The victim in the case, according to the criminal complaint, checked himself into a local mental health crisis center. At the time, he cited fear and confusion over Hyland's alleged continued contact with him.