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5 Plaintiff,
7 Douglas Dahlen,
8 Defendant.
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11 Plaintiff,
12 vs.
14 Defendant.
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21 of Minnesota.
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1 A P P E A R A N C E S
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5 cases.
10
11 EXHIBITS
18 5- Scheduling Order 3 11 --
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2 of record:)
8 time of the plea, both Mr. and Ms. Dahlen stated their
11 disposition -- and put the Court and the defense -- and the
14 and at the time of the plea, indicated that the State would
22 Ms. Dahlen.
1 they're handwritten, and for some reason, they did not scan
9 each of the foster parents that the girls were placed with
20 I have them right here. Can we copy -- we could run out and
25 you to read them, but you've got to give them back. I'm not
6
4 (Off-the-record discussion.)
11 (Off-the-record discussion.)
25 (Off-the-record discussion.)
7
5 the PSI for Doug Dahlen and Gina Dahlen, and in reviewing
8 indicated that the Dahlens serve one day in jail, which the
20 And the State does not believe that the defendants should be
1 objection to Exhibit 2?
13 themselves.
24 given credit for one day served; that they complete 100 hours
11 the PSI writer is that the White Horse Ranch is currently for
16 where --
20 work.
8 the ranch has been -- or the house has been placed on the
11 does show the fact -- show the property is, in fact, for
12 sale.
16 Honor.
6 have been ordered to put the ranch up for sale for purposes
10 to do is set the fee, set the price of the ranch, and that --
5 what Mr. White says, those exhibits, the ones that the Court
1 DeDe Evavold, who had these girls or with these -- were with
2 these girls for two days. These folks kept them for two and
11 was not -- the statute they were charged under was enacted to
15 own for two and a half years. And I can't fathom, I can't
17 what these children are telling you, who thinks that's okay?
18 942 days they kept these girls, and they try to rationalize
19 it with, "Well, you know, they were telling us, you know,
24 missing, and they knew they were missing for over a year and
13 They were going to run away, and they may have been
15 thinking, the father and their siblings? For two and a half
20 they were doing what they thought were the right thing for
21 the girls, who they harmed, who the victim is is David Rucki.
3 their nose at the court system and thwart the efforts that
8 to me.
15 same fine, $944, one dollar for each day the girls were gone,
4 table or --
6 That might --
12 thought about how this whole thing started for me. I realize
13 that it started for me the same way it did for Doug and Gina
17 sentence.
21 made to help that day and for the next six years. As a
14 they were gone, the first person to contact the police, the
16 Children. I was the contact point for the search for the
10 lessen their pain. Someone asked me the other day why I did
14 to ask for their help in this case. Doug and Gina Dahlen
17 lives. Doug and Gina Dahlen held my nieces at their home for
18 942 days. Samantha and Gianna were 13 and 14 years old when
19 they arrived at the White Horse Ranch. For 942 days, they
2 because they would have been found. Not only could they not
8 the 944 days Samantha and Gianna were gone, for most vivid
1 White Horse Ranch. The idea that Doug and Gina Dahlen would
17 Had she done what she was ethically bound to do, someone
25 and Gina Dahlen hid my nieces at the White Horse Ranch for
23
1 942 days. The act -- they acted with willful disregard for
5 horse was given more love and care than a sick child.
7 for what they have done. Their attorneys are going to ask
10 I ask that you consider that holding two young girls for 942
12 no place for children; that Doug and Gina Dahlen are not the
13 people that they say they are; that those letters of support
22 Dakota County, thank you for -- thank you so much for holding
5 for my entire family when I say thank you to all of you who
10 love you.
12 much and am proud to be your aunt and happy to have you home.
14 you've done.
9 the judge and to the offenders how they -- how their crimes
14 mind.
16 We are here today because both of you took the coward's way
1 any time, that there was nothing holding them there. This is
2 nothing but a cowardly excuse which you use and allows you to
13 wish to follow the words of the Bible, let me teach you how
8 where the schools were; she knew how to enroll kids. With
13 Facebook page of the White Horse Ranch posted this text along
17 out, and the kids are back with such great anticipation and
19 families, and all who come. You are such a blessing and you
20 are why the ranch exists." Then you use the Bible:
21 "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from
25 gifts. The Facebook post shows that you still have no idea
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1 what you took from my family and my children. You are both
2 frauds, and let me teach you how the Bible describes fraud:
12 walked back to your car where you were hiding. You then
13 drove them away where they would not -- they would remain
14 hidden for another 940 days. You are not innocent. You are
16 April 19, 2013. You are both liars. You claim to have cared
17 for these girls as if they were your own. You didn't even
20 The answer was "no" because you were fearing being caught.
21 You didn't treat my children like your own. You were both
22 liars.
4 She's only 17. Samantha has four teeth extracted. She has
6 and correct her bite. You are liars when you claim you took
17 "evil," for you two have not had the common sense to figure
20 She doesn't give you a phone number; she leaves you with no
22 going to be at your home for a few days, but days turns into
23 weeks, weeks turns into months, months turns into years. You
6 by law enforcement.
12 raccoon with clubs that had been trapped on the ranch. The
13 two girls should have been in school and hanging out with
24 ranch for 942 days, during which you denied them basic
14 for me happened about five months after the girls came home.
17 and visit the White Horse Ranch. I told her I didn't think
18 that was a good idea, but she was persistent. I said I don't
22 these people, I would hope that you would wait 'til you're in
3 lot of painful dental work done. When you came home, you had
4 a broken tooth that you had for a very long time before you
5 came home. Did the Dahlens ever take you to the dentist?"
8 "No, because the Dahlens didn't want you found." Her eyes
9 started welling up. Then I asked next, "Did the Dahlens ever
10 take you to the doctor?" She didn't speak because I knew the
15 Again she didn't speak. "No, because the Dahlens didn't want
17 many times with my daughters since they have come home, I've
24 them and my family. You are both evil, and I hate you for
5 All their friends have moved on; school has moved on.
16 ranch.
23 both have stolen this from them. You are both truly evil.
24 You will never fully -- there will never fully be any justice
2 passage from the Bible. Both of you, Doug and Gina Dahlen,
3 proudly boast that you follow God's law over man's law. Let
13 because they are God's servant working for your own good.
17 Romans 13:1-4.
23 laughable.
24 Thank you.
1 Ms. Keena?
18 Jackson had come out maybe a week before, I'd have a better
11 here.
23 there accurately that we, the defense, would move for a gross
4 PSI, they use this risk assessment tool, the LS/CMI. I don't
9 existed.
3 and one day. Mrs. Dahlen is asking the Court for a gross
5 downward departure.
18 Bauerly, the district court had departed the one day and
20 day, from the year and a day to the 365 days. The State
22 just to outline what the facts are and not why I think it's
1 clarification.
2 But go ahead.
23 cases.
25 disagree in the sense that I think Ms. Keena was stating the
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2 this case is not less onerous when compared with other acts
8 the point further, in the Rice case -- in the Rice case, it's
25 were found.
42
4 (Off-the-record discussion.)
7 Exhibit 8.
19 court record.
23 The reason why these documents were reviewed by the Court was
2 I -- the State fails to see how it has any relevance for the
3 sentencing.
6 relevance?
24 record.
19 of those cases.
4 beat my own drum here, but the Court may recall Tyesha
6 was sitting doing her own homework in her own home by Myon
8 actually three times, and during the course of the trial that
22 suggest use immunity may be applied, and the Court made those
1 want to just reiterate for the record that the Court has
10 Mr. Rucki went through and really just had a hard time with
14 180 to the point where he's asking the Court now for
25 Dahlen and her husband are not typical defendants, let alone
47
11 it; this state has not yet demanded that that be the case.
14 I mean, the point here again is that they were not just
17 idealistic, but it's real. They have treated over 400 kids
24 provided a sanctuary --
19 attorney, I cannot tell you how many times I've heard that in
6 there. They were given hugs and love. She loves Doug and
9 she feels Doug and Gina gave up their lives for them. G.J.R.
10 stated that she felt at peace there. They talked about God
11 and read the Bible. They, meaning the Dahlens, taught her to
10 something that they chose. They did not make a choice. They
12 the statements they were hearing from two minor children who
24 go back there. Sam said all she got was love and hugs. And
4 sounds like they didn't come back to the father for another
5 five months.
16 not a liar; she's not a coward; she's not the monster. And
17 she'll take the high road when discussing this case and
21 now.
5 call that they were coming for -- you know, these girls
9 with a place, and we did the best that we could to care for
10 them, but their emotions didn't lie. You know, you can sit
11 back and say, "You should have done this" or "You should have
12 done this through that process and that time," and -- but
18 them -- you know, we made sure we told them, you know, "You
19 need to" -- "You can't just stay here." It's like they tried
25 them with a safe place and just love on them. It wasn't our
53
3 already run and they had threatened to run again. That was
4 real.
7 that have been through that. And the percent of kids that
9 and that was a real fear for us. And we weren't about to --
13 broke my heart to hear what these girls had told me what they
1 They open up, they share, and God just works through these
3 hard to describe unless you sit back and you watch it. And
4 it empowers them, and at the end of the day, you know, we're
9 the property is for sale; White Horse Ranch is not for sale.
14 that that's where our heart was. That's where our hearts
15 are; it's for them. And we just do the best that we can
17 Thank you.
19 Mr. Keil.
2 and have two girls show up at their doorstep, tell them the
14 solely for the welfare of those girls. Mr. Dahlen and I have
24 of this matter.
3 it for context.
9 context on it.
16 prevent that. They did not want these girls running away and
19 were put in. I mean, Mr. White has said it all, but their
21 It was not with malice towards the father; it was not malice
6 these two individuals that have girls who have run away,
11 did. They understand what they did was wrong. But again, it
14 this case is they did not receive any money, any support for
18 their own pocket solely to keep those girls safe, to not have
19 them run away. They did not force them to stay there.
23 upon all the reasons that Mr. White stated, that we stated in
7 Thank you.
9 statement?
17 got off the couch. I laid there and watched TV. And when I
18 got up and saw the girls for the first time, I was stunned at
19 how scared they were. I've seen a lot of messed-up kids, and
25 come back and I would see -- you have no idea how they would
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1 break down and beg us and plead with us, "Please don't make
12 filed, but the presiding judge did not grant the petition and
16 Thank you.
22 and you go home every day and do the hard work of raising --
24 And when you stood up and said that you hadn't given much
1 full. And when you stopped to think about the Dahlens, your
2 anger was clear and your anger was righteous, and your anger
18 to say we've all lived with this because of course the people
19 who are living with this are the Rucki children and the Rucki
22 Ms. Keena's going to close a file, and Mr. White and Mr. Keil
23 will close up their files and turn to the next cases, and
24 that's certainly not the case for you and for your family.
1 lives go on, and the hard work of raising up these kids and
2 supporting them and nurturing them and loving them goes on.
3 And that, of course, will be true to the day you die. And it
8 hands-on, very realistic, very loving way you have set about
12 sentencing.
14 apply equally to both of you. All right? And we'll have two
22 has heard about it, who has worked in some capacity on the
23 case, and has caused me to think and ponder and anguish about
2 days. And not only were they affected, but as Dr. Love
3 eloquently told us, the entire family was affected, and their
5 left behind.
16 lot over the years, and I would guess that many people could
21 people and for the law. And I know this for sure, that
5 parental rights.
16 his children for 944 days. But the law does recognize that
1 such a vulnerable age, and she set this in motion. The other
10 screaming from the room and tell the very first adult he or
2 of their mother.
5 another trial. And I've thought about this: There are only
6 two people that have visited this courtroom who have shed
8 children, and those people are Mr. Rucki and Ms. Dahlen.
21 Good intentions are not enough. And you did cause harm to
7 one day for each of the 31 months that the children were in
11 wish to serve the jail time in your home county, you may do
16 every day that the children were in your care, and an $80
17 surcharge.
23 that represents one day for every month the girls were out of
9 Mr. Rucki or Dr. Love. You will have no contact with S.V.R.
21 Minnesota law.
22 transferred, obviously --
3 the kids that come to the ranch where they -- one particular
5 church where the kids are coming out to the ranch, and it's
7 driving back and forth. And if there's a way that, you know,
8 it's not, you know, respite, but it's just that, you know,
10 ranch, and they're people that we know. And -- and I'm just
12 could get an okay for that to happen because it's been -- you
13 know, the parents want it, and they see the benefit for their
14 children.
25 (Off-the-record discussion.)
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2 do that.
6 county --
15 for one of the Dahlens and two months from today for the
17 Dakota County Jail or the Grant County Jail, and they can
23 possible?
25 me.
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2 (Off-the-record discussion.)
8 community-based organization.
2 simultaneously?
16 review it, you can reach out and we can schedule a conference
17 call.
19 date.
1 Douglas County, they may do so, but again, they must make
4 you can discuss this with Probation, and just -- if you could
16 All right?
21 (Proceedings concluded.)
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3 REPORTER'S CERTIFICATE
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