SIREN—Marjorie Ann "Peggy" Hjelseth made her first appearance in Burnett County Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon where she was charged with two felonies stemming from the death of one of her campers.

Hjelseth, the director at Trade Lake Camp south of Grantsburg, a summer camp for mentally handicapped adults, was charged with recklessly subjecting an individual at risk to abuse and causing death and second degree reckless homicide in the death of 49 year-old camper Shirley Meade.

A tentative preliminary hearing date of November 20 was set, although defense attorney Kevin J. Short told the court his client would be willing to waive the hearing if he were able to review discovery in the case.

"In the interest of expediting this case, I don't see that as a problem," Burnett County District Attorney Bill Norine responded.

In a joint bond agreement, Hjelseth agreed to sign a $25,000 signature bond as well as post a $5,000 cash bond to guarantee her future court appearances. She remains free until her next court date.

According to the criminal complaint filed with the court, Hjelseth allegedly gave Meade the wrong dose of medication on the morning of July 17.

In discovering the error, Hjelseth decided to allow Meade to "sleep it off." The woman's health deteriorated throughout the day and she died in the early morning hours of July 18.

An investigation by the Burnett County Sheriff's Department into what was first termed "a suspicious death," revealed what actually happened. Sheriff Dean Roland turned his findings over to the county's district attorney to file charges.

The maximum sentence of the first count is 40 years in prison, a $100,000 fine or both. The homicide charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, a $100,000 fine or both.