Bemidji Care Worker Charged In Assault Case
Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji care worker is facing a misdemeanor assault charge after a reported incident at a residential care facility.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Minnesota District Court, Favour Ugomma Ugo Chukwu is charged with fifth-degree assault.
The charge was filed in Beltrami County District Court under court file number 04-CR-26-1009.
The complaint states the alleged incident happened on August 21, 2025, at REM Northstar in Bemidji.
Medication Dispute Reported
Authorities were called to the facility after a medical call reported a vulnerable adult had been struck.
The complaint says the incident involved L.T., a vulnerable adult, and Ugo Chukwu, an employee at the facility.
Investigators said the incident began during a dispute over medication.
A witness told authorities that L.T. and Ugo Chukwu were arguing about medications.
The witness said L.T. had a plastic container before placing it on a bed.
According to the complaint, the witness said both had contact with each other.
The witness said L.T. was backed against a wall during the incident.
Complaint Says Container Was Broken
The complaint says Ugo Chukwu allegedly picked up a plastic container.
Authorities say the container was then used to strike L.T. on the head.
Emergency medical workers checked L.T. at the facility.
The complaint says L.T. was not taken to a hospital.
Staff later showed authorities a broken purple plastic container.
The container reportedly held L.T.’s medications.
One side of the container was broken, according to the complaint.
A medical report noted L.T. had a painful response when the area was checked.
Defendant Denied Hitting L.T.
Ugo Chukwu denied striking L.T. with the container, according to the complaint.
She told authorities she was trying to give L.T. medication.
She said L.T. took the medication and threw it away.
Ugo Chukwu said she later tried again after speaking with other staff.
She told authorities that L.T. took the medication container to a bedroom.
She said L.T. shoved her and broke the container on the floor.
Ugo Chukwu said another staff member stepped in.
She said she then left the room to calm the situation.
DHS Investigation Cited
The complaint also cites a later investigation by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
A DHS letter dated November 5, 2025, said physical abuse was substantiated.
The complaint says that the finding was later received by investigators in March 2026.
Ugo Chukwu is charged under Minnesota Statute 609.224.
The maximum sentence is 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
A charge is only an accusation.
Ugo Chukwu is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
