Thief River Falls Woman Sentenced in Knife Attack

Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — Edwina Marie Stoutenburgh, 35, was sentenced Aug. 20 in Pennington County District Court.

The sentencing followed a July 2025 incident involving a boy and a knife.

Stoutenburgh received a 21-month prison sentence, which was stayed for five years.

The court granted the stay as a downward dispositional departure.

She received credit for 396 days already served.

Five Years of Supervised Probation

Stoutenburgh must serve five years of supervised probation unless she is discharged earlier.

She must complete any mental health evaluation requested by her probation agent.

She must also take prescribed medications at the required dosage and schedule.

Any medication changes must be reported to her probation agent.

The court barred Stoutenburgh from possessing firearms, ammunition, or explosives for life unless her rights are restored.

She must provide a DNA sample and pay $135 in fines and fees.

A no-contact order involving her husband was lifted.

Contact with the four children remains subject to orders in a related CHIPS case.

Edwina Marie Stoutenburgh

More information about CHIPS cases is available from Minnesota courts.

Case Began With July 2025 Incident

The case began after a 911 call shortly after 7 a.m. on July 20, 2025.

Stoutenburgh’s husband contacted authorities after receiving a phone call from her while he was working.

Four children were found inside a vehicle near the end of the driveway.

They reported that Stoutenburgh had tried to cut the boy’s throat.

Court documents described several red abrasions on the boy’s neck.

Authorities then contacted Stoutenburgh at the home.

Court records say Stoutenburgh admitted cutting the boy with a dull knife.

She also described hearing voices and said she did not want to hurt anyone.

Stoutenburgh was later taken to Sanford Medical Center.

Court Rejected Mental Illness Defense

The sentencing followed a June ruling finding Stoutenburgh guilty in the knife assault case.

The court found she had not proven the mental illness defense.

Minnesota law sets the standard for criminal responsibility involving mental illness.

A separate attempted second-degree murder without intent charge was dismissed.

The court found that charge legally impossible because an attempt requires intent.

Two psychologists evaluated Stoutenburgh and reached different diagnoses involving psychosis.

Both believed she did not understand the nature or wrongfulness of her actions.

The court disagreed after reviewing the full record.

The judge found Stoutenburgh understood that her conduct was wrong.

Court Grants Sentencing Departure

Before sentencing, Stoutenburgh expressed remorse and discussed progress made while receiving treatment in custody.

Her attorneys requested probation instead of an executed prison sentence.

The prosecution did not oppose that request.

The court cited her lack of criminal history, cooperation, remorse, family support, and willingness to receive treatment.

Information about sentencing departures is available from the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission.

Readers can also visit the Pennington County District Court website.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.