Amber Hattem

The second defendant charged with sexually abusing residents of a Minot long-term care facility has pleaded guilty to three felony counts in North Central District Court.

Amber Hattem, 33, Minot, entered her change of plea before Judge Todd Cresap in two cases, pleading guilty to once count of possession of certain materials prohibited, a Class C felony; and two counts of gross sexual imposition-sexual contact-victim unaware, both Class A felonies. Counts of promoting or directing an obscene sexual performance by a minor, which is a Class A felony, and a Class A misdemeanor count of indecent exposure were dismissed in accordance with a plea agreement with state prosecutors.

According to court documents, Amber Hattem and her husband Dalton Hattem, 34, were charged in connection to investigations into a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in August 2024. Investigators eventually identified the IP address from the tip as the Hattem’s and located child sexual abuse material on their devices.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, investigators eventually discovered additional photos and videos on the couple’s devices of various individuals in a nursing home setting. The victims appeared bedridden or unconscious in various states of undress and all appeared to be unaware the videos and images were being made.

Amber Hattem was employed as certified nursing assistant at a Minot care center at the time of the incidents. Hattem would later identify the residents in the images and video for investigators and admitted the illicit content was created for her husband’s sexual gratification.

Amber Hattem testified at Dalton Hattem’s jury trial in September 2025, where he was ultimately found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit gross sexual imposition after just 16 minutes of deliberation. Dalton Hattem’s sentencing date has been scheduled for June 9 in the abuse case, while his charges in the child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) case were dismissed due to the filing of federal charges.

State prosecutors explained that while a plea agreement had been reached, Hattem retained the right to argue for a lesser sentence than the state’s recommendation.

The state asked for five years of straight time for the CSAM charge, to be served concurrently with the other counts, along with consecutive five year terms for the gross sexual imposition charges. The state also asked for sex offender registration, 10 years of supervised probation and a no contact order with Dalton Hattem with $525 in court fines and fees.

Hattem was tearful as she confirmed her intentions for the judge and formally pleaded guilty.

Cresap ordered a presentence investigation and made arrangements to lock in a date in September for the sentencing because it will occur after his scheduled retirement from the bench this summer.