By Nancy Madsen, Mankato Free Press

WASECA — On Jan. 28, John LaDue could be sleeping in his own bed at his parents’ house for the first time in almost two years.

LaDue, 19, cannot be held in Waseca County Jail after Jan. 28, as he will have served the full sentence for a felony possession of an explosive device.

So far, a needed placement at a state-run evaluation facility has not been available.

Third Judicial District Judge Joseph Chase said at a hearing Wednesday the state has only 12 such beds, none of which has been free in the two weeks since LaDue’s sentence was changed.

In the original Oct. 19 sentence, LaDue was headed to a secured autism spectrum disorder facility near Atlanta, Georgia. But that state, as is its right, declined to accept LaDue and take responsibility for monitoring him in probation.

So on Jan. 9, the new plan was to put him in a Minnesota evaluation facility, followed by treatment devised by experts at the facility. The attorneys and judge had to prepare Wednesday in case a bed does not open in the next week.

LaDue, who has agreed to probation after the time in jail to allow the grade of conviction to be lowered at the end of his treatment, will return to his family’s house Jan. 28.

“I know enough about this case to anticipate that there are people in Waseca who will be dissatisfied with this and I’m not really satisfied with this myself,” Chase said. “But this is the only thing that we can do and I am asking folks in Waseca to understand that and behave in a manner that doesn’t exacerbate this.”

LaDue pleaded guilty to possession of an explosive device after being accused of plotting to detonate bombs at Waseca Junior-Senior High School. Experts diagnosed LaDue with autism spectrum disorder that includes a fixation on violence, an unusual aspect to the disorder, which has made finding a location for treatment difficult. He had previously been charged with attempted murder and attempted damage to property counts, but those were thrown out.

He said the terms of LaDue’s probation will include no access to firearms or Internet, which his parents, David and Stephanie LaDue, agreed to. John LaDue also was told to remain inside the house unless he is attending an approved appointment, such as for physical or mental health.

Without LaDue’s agreement to go on probation, his sentence could be completed. He could request an executed sentence and be free to go where he chose, the judge said.

Chase may order a new court appearance or choose to accept biweekly updates on the status of a placement for LaDue. He will issue an order to encourage the state Department of Human Services to move quickly.

County Attorney Brenda Miller said probation would follow the normal process with the Department of Corrections taking the lead. Local law enforcement can only attend visits when there is a request. Law enforcement and state probation will likely make sure the situation at the LaDue home is satisfactory beforehand.

Miller warned the public to be mindful of their conduct if they run into LaDue.

“If you have concerns, you can call law enforcement or my office, as well,” she said. “If you see him out and about, he should be going to an appointment.”

She said the public should not accost him, which would grow a sense of grievance, or do anything “that would get you into trouble.”

Third District Chief Public Defender Jeffrey Johnson called it a “gap in society” that there is difficulty in finding suitable treatment for LaDue.

“He is willing to continue to cooperate,” Johnson said. “The frustrating part is that the help isn’t there for him.”

Johnson said that because LaDue was certified as an adult, many treatment options were closed to him.

“In the juvenile system, you try to help,” he said. “In the adult system, you try to punish so there are a lot less options.”