Wisconsin Nurse Avoids Jail After Amputating Patient’s Foot Without Permission, Planned to Display It in Taxidermy Shop

Wisconsin nurse Mary K. Brown pleaded no contest to abusing a patient after amputating a 62-year-old man's foot without permission or a doctor’s order

A Wisconsin nurse who amputated the foot of a dying patient without medical authorization or consent—and intended to display it in her family’s taxidermy shop—will not serve jail time after pleading no contest to patient abuse.

Mary K. Brown, 40, was ordered to pay $443 in court fees and will not face incarceration following a May 2022 incident in which she cut off the foot of a 62-year-old male patient under her care at a nursing home in Pierce County. The patient, who was suffering from severe frostbite on both feet, died days after the unauthorized amputation, prompting a criminal investigation.

Brown had originally faced more serious charges including intentional great bodily harm, mayhem, and physical abuse of an elderly person. These charges were dismissed as part of her plea agreement, according to court records.

As a condition of the agreement, Brown has consented to permanently relinquish her right to practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in the state of Wisconsin.

Authorities were first alerted in June 2022 when the county medical examiner flagged the patient's death due to “unusual circumstances.” The man’s foot had been found detached and lying beside him. According to medical records reviewed during the investigation, there was no physician order for an amputation, and the procedure was conducted without medical supervision.

Witnesses told investigators that Brown used scissors to sever the foot’s remaining tendon while the patient was conscious. One nurse said the man gripped her hand tightly and moaned during the procedure, indicating he was in severe pain. Another staff member said, “when they cut his foot off he felt everything and it hurt very bad.”

Court documents revealed that Brown made disturbing comments during the amputation, including a plan to preserve the foot in her family's taxidermy shop with a sign reading, “Wear your boots kids.”

The amputated foot was stored in a freezer to be sent with the patient after death.