Spring Valley, WI – A Wisconsin nurse, Mary K. Brown, 40, pleaded no contest on July 10, 2025, to a misdemeanor charge of negligently abusing a patient after performing an unauthorized amputation of a 62-year-old man’s foot in 2022.
The disturbing incident, which took place at Spring Valley Senior Living and Healthcare Campus, led to the death of patient Doug McFarland days later and has sparked outrage over medical ethics and patient safety.
Brown’s plea deal, which includes court costs and potential nursing board sanctions but no jail time, has left the community with questions about accountability in healthcare settings.
How It Went Down
In May 2022, Brown, then a nurse at the Spring Valley facility, amputated the left foot of McFarland, who was suffering from severe frostbite following a fall at his home earlier that spring.
Court documents reveal that McFarland’s frostbite had caused necrosis in both feet, which Brown described as “mummy feet.” Believing the procedure would improve his quality of life, Brown used bandage scissors to “snip” the foot, which was held together only by skin and two tendons, without consent from McFarland, his physician, or the facility’s administration.
Investigators learned that Brown acted alone on May 27, 2022, with colleagues noting that McFarland had both feet that morning but was missing one by night.
An administrator told police he had explicitly instructed Brown not to perform the amputation, though he acknowledged a doctor might have eventually approved it due to the foot’s condition. Brown’s stated intent was to ensure McFarland’s “comfort and dignity,” but her actions violated medical protocols and patient autonomy.
Adding to the case’s details, a fellow nurse reported that Brown, whose family runs a taxidermy shop, planned to preserve the amputated foot for display with a sign reading, “Wear your boots, kids.” The revelation shocked investigators and has fueled public horror over the incident.
Legal Consequences and Community Reaction
Initially charged with physical abuse of an elderly person, mayhem, and negligent abuse of a patient, Brown faced serious felony counts that led to the suspension of her nursing license.
Her no-contest plea to a reduced misdemeanor charge of negligent abuse allows her to avoid jail time, with penalties limited to $443 in court costs and compliance with any disciplinary actions from the Wisconsin Board of Nursing.
The lenient outcome has drawn criticism from those who argue it fails to reflect the gravity of McFarland’s death, which occurred days after the procedure.
On X, reactions ranged from disbelief to anger. “A nurse cuts off a man’s foot without permission, and no jail time? Where’s the justice?” one user posted. Another wrote, “This is why we need stricter oversight in nursing homes.” The case has reignited discussions about patient safety in long-term care facilities, particularly in rural areas like Spring Valley, where healthcare access is already limited.
Why It Matters
McFarland’s death shows the vulnerabilities of elderly and disabled patients in care facilities, especially amid broader healthcare challenges in Wisconsin and beyond.
Brown’s actions, described as both misguided and reckless, have raised questions about training and supervision in nursing homes.
The administrator’s admission that a doctor might have approved the amputation suggests a gray area in medical decision-making, but Brown’s unilateral decision violated ethical standards. Her reference to preserving the foot for display has further appalled observers, casting a shadow over her stated intent to help McFarland.
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What’s Next?
As Brown awaits potential sanctions from the Wisconsin Board of Nursing, which could permanently revoke her license, the case continues to resonate in Spring Valley. McFarland’s family and community mourn a man whose final days were marked by an unthinkable violation of trust.
The incident may prompt calls for stricter regulations in Wisconsin’s long-term care facilities, with advocates urging greater protections for vulnerable patients.
The no-contest plea closes a chapter in this disturbing case, but its impact lingers, serving as a beacon of the consequences when medical authority is misused. As the state reviews Brown’s nursing credentials, the focus remains on ensuring such a tragedy never recurs.
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