Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed criminal charges against Michelle Skroch in the Beltrami County District Court. Skroch, who served as the Director of Nursing for MEnD Correctional Care, LLC, is charged with one count of second-degree manslaughter and two counts of criminal neglect related to the death of Hardel Sherrell on September 2, 2018.
The complaint alleges that Skroch neglected to provide adequate care for Sherrell while he was held at the Beltrami County Jail from September 1 to September 2, 2018. It states that her failure to perform "the most basic nursing care" and her omission in taking Sherrell's vitals over a two-day period contributed to his death. The complaint further cites a correctional healthcare expert's review indicating a "tremendous breach in the standard of care" by Skroch. Her nursing license was revoked in 2023.
Attorney General Ellison’s office initiated charges following a referral from Beltrami County Attorney David Hanson under Minnesota Statutes, Section 8.01. This statute allows the attorney general to appear in court cases deemed proper upon request by a county attorney. The request for assistance was made by the Beltrami County Attorney in February 2023.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
A criminal complaint is an allegation; therefore, Skroch is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.