Woman charged with assaulting a defenseless adult in Fergus Falls

FERGUS Falls, Minn. (Valley News Live) – An Alexandria, Minnesota woman faces charges after assaulting a defenseless adult in her care at a group home in Fergus Falls.

Ashley Jade Simons, 23, is charged with fourth-degree assault on a defenseless adult and abuse by a guardian.

On November 18, a Fergus Falls police officer was called to the hospital after receiving reports of an assault on a defenseless adult at a group home in Fergus Falls.

Court documents show the victims’ guardian told police he had video of the victim being assaulted after previously being suspected of abuse. The delivery man recorded Simons on November 17.

The documents show that in one video, Simons can be seen feeding the victim before becoming angry, standing up and kicking the victim in the head twice. Another video shows Simons kicking the footstool she was sitting on before physically pulling the victim out of the chair. The documents state that it is unclear whether Simons grabbed the victim’s hair or shirt collar area due to the camera angle, however, it was clear that the victim was not helped out of the chair because his hands and arms were in view cameras.

Documents say another video shows Simons walking the victim back to a chair from another room. Simons pushed the victim into a chair and shouted, “Now sit down!” “Sufficiently!” Simons then punched the victim in the knee before entering the kitchen. When the victim got up from the chair and started walking toward the kitchen, Simons lunged at her. The victim tried to run away, but Simons grabbed his wrists and then pushed the victim to the ground, shouting, “Get out!” Simons then moved furniture to the front entrances to the living room where the victim was located.

Simons told officers the victim was usually laughing and having fun, but she didn’t seem like herself after the attack.

The Grand Forks deputy spoke on the phone with Simons, who admitted she took her frustration out on the victim, stating she shouldn’t have done it. She also told police that nothing like this had ever happened and that there was a lot going on in her personal life.

Simon’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 31.