Freeborn County Crime Victim's Crisis Center

09/11/2026

https://www.womenspress.com/what-i-wish-were-different-for-survivors-like-me/

The question I wish people would ask is not, "Why did you go back?" It is: "What was missing that would have made it possible for you and your children to stay safely gone?" ... The system fails survivors when it only recognizes danger at the moment of crisis. Safety has to last longer than the emer

09/11/2026

Here is the link to watch https://www.facebook.com/ViolenceFreeMN/

09/09/2026

Janelle Marie Swenson worked as a Direct Support Professional at Orion Corporation and Environmental Services at Essentia Health. Her loved ones shared, “She had a tenacious personality, never letting a horse win after being bucked off. Janelle always got back on.” She loved hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles, canning vegetables, and gardening, and lived by her faith. She leaves behind her husband, three children, and two new grandbabies. We remember Janelle Marie Swenson.

Janelle Marie Swenson, 42, died as a result of injuries from a car crash on August 22, 2026 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

Janelle’s vehicle was hit on Highway 2 by a stolen truck with Jack Drumbeater, 41, and his ex-girlfriend inside. Drumbeater’s ex-girlfriend told police that she and Drumbeater had recently broken up, and before the crash, Drumbeater showed up at a residence where she was staying, assaulted her, and threatened to hurt her if she did not go with him. She told police that he had an axe, bat, and club with him. She got into the truck Drumbeater had taken, which belonged to the other person at the residence. Drumbeater eventually stopped at a gas station. When he went inside the store, she got into the driver’s seat to try to escape him. As she fled, Drumbeater chased the truck, climbed into the truck bed, broke through the back window and into the cab, and punched her in the head. The truck swerved into oncoming traffic, hitting Janelle’s vehicle. Janelle died at the scene.

Drumbeater and his ex-girlfriend are charged with several felonies, including third degree murder for Drumbeater, and criminal vehicular homicide for his ex-girlfriend. Drumbeater has an extensive history of domestic violence against multiple women, including 2022, 2020, and 2014 convictions for Domestic Abuse No Contact Order (DANCO) violations; 2022 and 2019 domestic assault convictions; and a 2014 domestic assault conviction involving a fi***rm. During one of these assaults, he beat a former girlfriend to unconsciousness after pulling her out of a vehicle she was driving.

08/20/2026

Alice Brown, 78, was fatally stabbed by her son Nathan Brown, 41, inside her home in Burnsville on or around the morning of August 12, 2026. Later on that same morning, Kristen Brown, 41, and her daughter Evie Brown, 7,were fatally stabbed by Nathan, Kristen’s husband and Evie’s father, inside Brown Bear Daycare, their home daycare, in Hopkins.

Police were called to Brown Bear Daycare the morning of August 12 after a parent dropping off their children witnessed Nathan stabbing Kristen and Evie with a screwdriver. Officers found Kristen and Evie deceased inside, and Nathan upstairs with a fatal self-inflicted gunshot wound. The six children inside the daycare were reunited with their parents and guardians. They were not injured. Later in the afternoon, police were called to Alice’s home, where they found her deceased with stab wounds.

Kristen had previously sent a letter from Brown Bear Daycare to parents indicating she was planning to close the daycare “due to relationship issues” with Nathan. They were in the process of separating.

Alice Brown was “the kindest and most loving; a gardener who loved to walk.” Kristen Brown was “an amazing mother; an amazing businesswoman; funny and witty.” She opened Brown Bear Daycare after giving birth to Evie in 2018, and wrote often of her passion for caring for children. Evie was “a natural leader,” and she loved rainbows and sparkles.

We remember Alice, Kristen, and Evie.

08/03/2026

Janelle Lea Carlson, 47, was fatally stabbed on July 24, 2026 inside her home in Luverne. Her boyfriend Melvin Frazier, 61, is charged with second-degree murder.

Police officers went to Janelle’s home after her family member received messages from Frazier indicating he had hurt Janelle. They found Janelle with stab wounds and extensive bruising. Police arrested Frazier after they found him hiding nearby. While he was taken into custody, he made multiple statements about having killed Janelle.

Frazier had been released from jail several days before after serving 60 days for committing domestic assault against Janelle in late May.

Janelle’s loved ones shared that she loved nature and going on walks; butterflies; and painting. She loved vanilla ice cream, and “the little things” made her happy. We remember Janelle Lea Carlson.

07/28/2026

Carla Olson, 67, was fatally shot by her husband Edward Olson, 72, on June 18, 2026 in Babbitt. Edward Olson then fatally shot himself. A police officer discovered Carla and Edward deceased inside their home after arriving for a welfare check.

Carla’s family said she was “an amazing person who loved her children and grandchildren.” They shared, “She was our family’s rock and always the voice of reason. The most patient soul I’ve ever known. Her loss has affected many.”

05/21/2026

Joshua Robert Downey, 52, was fatally shot inside his girlfriend’s home in Mankato on April 26, 2026. Joseph Bulfer, 44, is charged with second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, illegal possession of a fi***rm, and various other felonies.

Police officers responded to the home after 911 dispatch received a call from Joshua indicating he had been shot. They found Bulfer upstairs with an AR-15 r***e. Joshua was found deceased with multiple gunshot wounds. A 37-year-old woman, Joshua’s girlfriend, was located unconscious and injured in the bathroom. In the hospital, she told officers she had broken up with Bulfer in December and he was upset she had started dating Joshua. She
said Bulfer broke into her home, shot Joshua, and beat her with a r***e while threatening to kill her. She was left with a collapsed lung and broken ribs.

Joseph Bulfer has a history of severe domestic violence against multiple women that stretches back decades, including strangulation; assault; threats to kill; and violating Orders for Protection.

Joshua Robert Downey was the Parks Supervisor for Blue
Earth County. His colleagues said he “cared very deeply
for the parks.” Joshua was described by loved ones as
“a devoted dad, a hard worker, and a genuinely kind
person” who “above all else, loved his children...His
greatest joy in life was being their dad.” He leaves behind
two children. We remember Joshua Robert Downey.

04/27/2026

Let’s keep the momentum going after ! One important way you can take action after is engaging in local elections. Swipe to learn more!

04/24/2026

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a great opportunity to talk about prevention and highlight the needs of victims/survivors of sexual violence. But our advocacy needs to continue all year. One important way you can take action after is talking to your elected officials. Swipe to learn more!

04/23/2026

What can you do to support surivors of violence after ? Local agencies such as school boards and city councils have a lot of power to create survivor-supportive policies. Here’s some ways to engage with them!