Thief River Falls, Minnesota – Rachel Rae Olson, 41, has been charged in Pennington County District Court after police found her and her 2-year-old child outside in dangerous subzero temperatures without proper winter clothing.
Incident Details:
According to court documents:
- At 11:29 a.m. on Tuesday, police received a report of a woman outside without a jacket, holding a blanket over her head and over a toddler.
- Officers found Olson sitting on the sidewalk in front of the Violence Intervention Project.
- When officers lifted the thin blanket, they found the 2-year-old girl wearing only a shirt, shorts, and a diaper.
- Olson herself was also not dressed for the cold.
- The temperature was -10°F, creating a high risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
Charges Against Olson:
Olson now faces multiple charges, including:
- Gross Misdemeanor Fourth-Degree Assault of a Peace Officer (for kicking an officer in the chest)
- Gross Misdemeanor Child Endangerment – Placing a Child at Risk
- Misdemeanor Obstructing the Legal Process
Officer Assault & Resistance:
- When an officer grabbed the toddler and took her to a warm squad car, Olson allegedly screamed and became aggressive.
- She tried to follow the officer, leading multiple officers to restrain her.
- Olson initially calmed down but resisted again when officers tried to put her into the squad car.
- She allegedly kicked an officer in the chest and kicked a juvenile police investigator before being placed inside the squad car.
Medical Concerns & Social Services Intervention:
- Olson showed signs of frostbite on her feet, which were not properly covered.
- A jail nurse requested she be taken to Sanford Medical Center, where she was treated and later returned to jail.
- The toddler and a teenage sibling were placed into the care of Social Services.
- It was unclear whether the child suffered any cold-related injuries.
Legal Consequences & Next Steps:
A gross misdemeanor child endangerment conviction in Minnesota can lead to up to one year in jail and fines up to $3,000. Assaulting a peace officer carries similar penalties.
Olson remains in custody as the investigation continues.
Further updates will be provided as more details emerge.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News