Nurse Amputated Man’s Foot Without His Consent

A Wisconsin nurse who amputated a dying man’s foot without his consent—and reportedly planned to display it in her family’s taxidermy shop—won’t spend a single day behind bars.

Mary K. Brown, 40, pleaded no contest to one count of abusing a patient and was ordered to pay just $443 in court fees, according to multiple reports. She will not serve jail time.

The shocking incident happened in May 2022 at a nursing home where Brown was caring for a 62-year-old man suffering from severe frostbite on both feet. Days after Brown removed his foot, the man died, prompting an investigation that led to her arrest.

According to court documents, Brown amputated the foot without any physician’s order. During the procedure, which she allegedly performed using scissors to sever the tendon, staff said the man gripped a nurse’s hand tightly and appeared to be in excruciating pain.

One nurse told investigators that Brown talked casually about her family’s taxidermy business while removing the foot. She allegedly said she wanted to preserve it and display it with a sign reading: “Wear your boots, kids.”

Brown had initially faced more serious charges including mayhem and intentionally causing great bodily harm, but those were dropped as part of her plea deal. In addition to the fine, she agreed never to practice nursing again in Wisconsin.

The man’s body was sent for autopsy after the medical examiner noticed the foot was detached and lying next to him. Court records confirmed that the amputation had no medical authorization.

Brown has not publicly commented on the case.