A Michigan nurse has been charged with a federal misdemeanor for allegedly helping an injured immigration detainee leave a hospital while he remained in federal custody, according to court filings.

Nurse allegedly helped ICE detainee escape

Chloe Renae Freeman, 33, of Whitmore Lake, was charged with instigating or assisting the escape of a person under arrest in a criminal complaint filed on August 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine.

Freeman was working as a registered nurse at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital on May 28 when the alleged escape occurred. The allegations are detailed in an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Michael Wagner filed to establish probable cause. Freeman has pleaded not guilty and has not been convicted.

Attorney Matthew G. Borgula told Newsweek that Freeman will not make any public comment at this time.

“The individual referenced is no longer employed by Trinity Health Ann Arbor. Because this is an active legal matter, we are unable to comment on the specific allegations or ongoing court proceedings,” Trinity Health Ann Arbor told the outlet.

Targeted immigration enforcement operation

According to the affidavit, U.S. Border Patrol agents conducted a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Ann Arbor on May 28 involving a man identified only by the initials OBP.

Federal authorities described him as a Mexican citizen who had previously been removed from the United States in December 2022 and had not received permission to reapply for admission.

Agents approached the man around 9 p.m. near Washtenaw Avenue and Pittsfield Boulevard. Authorities allege he ran from agents before tripping over a curb and striking his face on the pavement.

After taking him into custody, agents observed bleeding from his head and provided first aid. Emergency medical personnel determined he needed further evaluation and he was transported to Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital while remaining in Border Patrol custody.

The government described his detention as an administrative immigration arrest, rather than a criminal arrest.

The investigation

Medical staff at the hospital ordered a CT scan. A CT technologist later told investigators that Freeman and another nurse arrived after the scan and directed the technologist to keep the detainee in the CT room instead of returning him to his hospital room, according to the affidavit.

Federal authorities allege Freeman subsequently returned and retrieved the detainee.

Hospital badge records showed Freeman used her badge to enter the CT room at about 11:31 p.m. Security footage cited by investigators allegedly showed the detainee leaving through the hospital’s ambulance bay doors about a minute later.

Authorities said the detainee had not been located as of the filing of the complaint.