Last month, Alpha News reported on the closure of the $30 million Hennepin County Home School in Minnetonka. Since its 2021 shutdown, the county has struggled to place violent youth offenders locally, reportedly sending some as far as Utah for treatment.
Something a Hennepin County commissioner denied, stating in an email that “no juvenile offenders have been placed in a facility in Utah.”
But Minneapolis resident Wenona Kuhrman says that’s not true.
“Aaron was in Utah for less than a month. It was very tumultuous for him,” she said.
The year was 2019, and her teenage son, Aaron, had been going down a bad path.
“He started running away, experimenting with marijuana, and just having teenage angst—a lot of anger,” Kuhrman said. “He ended up stealing a car and breaking into a tobacco shop.”
After spending time at the Hennepin County Home School, Aaron was transferred to a juvenile detention center in Utah called Benchmark.
“The county flew him and myself out there, paid for my hotel,” she recalled.
Documents obtained by Alpha News confirm that Hennepin County coordinated travel plans for both Aaron and his mother, covering airfare and hotel expenses.
While in Utah, Aaron struggled.
“He was very depressed. I didn’t get to talk to him very often,” Kuhrman said.
Aaron was eventually transferred back to Minnesota, where he was placed at the juvenile correctional facility in Red Wing.
“The first part of that half, he was in solitary confinement, suicide watch a lot,” she said.
A promising shift
But over time, Aaron started to make progress.
“Then he started doing well. They have to get to certain levels before they can get out. He met those goals and did a whole turnaround,” Kuhrman said.
When Aaron turned 18, he joined a local boxing gym, enrolled in school, and seemed to be back on track.
But unbeknownst to Wenona, he was self-medicating with narcotics to cope with his depression. She also had no idea he had a handgun—until an argument over his drug use escalated.
“He pointed the gun at me, like in my face. And at that moment, he threatened, he put it to his head…” Kuhrman recalled.
“He said that I didn’t understand what he was going through, what kind of pain he was in, and how hard it was for him to get up every day. Then he said, ‘Why do you think I get all these things done? How do you think I’m going to school and boxing and doing everything you’re asking me to do? It’s the drugs.'”
Christmas morning suicide attempt
After that confrontation, Aaron promised to seek help and get rid of the gun. Wenona thought he was on a better path—until Christmas 2023.
“I thought he was dead because his lips were blue. His eyes were kind of a little bit open, but there was nothing there,” she said.
On his arm, Aaron had written “DNR”—for do not resuscitate. Wenona knew then this was not an accidental overdose; Aaron had intended to take his own life.
In response, Hennepin County drafted papers to have Aaron committed to a six-month psychiatric treatment program—something Wenona and the family fully supported.
Missed opportunity for intervention
Despite court findings that Aaron posed a serious risk to himself and others, his civil commitment was stayed. He was released under the condition that he avoid drugs and alcohol, attend outpatient treatment, and take prescribed medications.
“I’m at a loss for words,” Kuhrman said.
Just weeks later, the moment she feared most became reality.
On Feb. 3, 2024, in the throes of his addiction and depression, Aaron got into a heated argument with two men. He shot them both before turning the gun on himself.
Both men survived—Aaron did not.
A mother left searching for answers
Now, Wenona is left wondering what might have been different had Aaron served his civil commitment instead of being let go.
“I believe 100% he would have been here for another six months. Yes. It would have given him time to stabilize—whether that means getting on medications, changing medications, getting therapy, getting really grounded in that, and also getting off the drugs,” she said.
When asked if she had reached out to Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty’s office, Kuhrman said she received no response.
“I did try, and I’ve gotten no response. I have tried to reach out to other news stations and got no response. Only you.”
While Wenona admits Aaron ultimately made his own choice, she is left with questions about the system’s failures.
“I just think they knew he was a danger to himself, and they didn’t act. They failed,” she said.
“I just… I can’t understand. I often wonder—would Mary [Moriarty] have done that if it was her son? If it was one of her relatives? Would she have made the same choice? Would that have seemed wise?”
A mother’s faith and a son’s memory
We asked Mary Moriarty’s office why Aaron’s commitment was stayed but received no response. Hennepin County did not provide a comment on Aaron’s case.
The county, however, confirmed that some youth have, in fact, been placed in residential treatment programs in Utah.
Still, despite her heartbreak, Wenona says her faith has carried her through.
“My faith has gotten stronger. My faith has not faltered. And I didn’t know that was possible, because this is the worst thing any parent can go through. It’s literally your worst nightmare come true.”
As for Aaron…
“In this picture, I have in my living room—anywhere I go, his eyes follow,” she said.
“I miss him every day.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, there is help available 24 hours a day. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at: 988.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
