Investigation looks at Facebook pages

Authorities are investigating an allegation that the two young women accused of abusing residents at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea may have violated their conditions of release by communicating with each other on Facebook, Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson confirmed Wednesday.

Both Brianna Marie Broitzman and Ashton Michelle Larson were to have no contact with each other or the co-defendants charged as juveniles as part of one of their conditions.

For Broitzman, this was one of her conditions of pre-sentence release, as she pleaded guilty in August to three counts of disorderly conduct by a caregiver as part of a plea agreement.

For Larson, this was a condition of her pre-trial release, as she is expected to go on trial yet in November for her charges.

Nelson said at this time the allegation has not been substantiated but has been referred to law enforcement to be investigated.

It is unclear whether just being someone’s friend on Facebook is enough to count as a violation. Whether the two young women have been having direct contact may be the real question.

If the communication is substantiated, Nelson added, he will bring the issue before a judge by motion, and then it will ultimately be up to a judge to make a final determination on the consequences.

He said traditionally if there’s a violation of a condition of release, the judge chooses to impose additional conditions or to impose the unconditional release option.