Court Allows Mother of Slain Anamosa Prison Nurse to Sue State

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The mother of Lorena Schulte, an Anamosa prison nurse who was killed by two inmates in a failed 2021 prison escape, can move forward with her lawsuit against the state. An Iowa Court of Appeals ruling last week overturned the dismissal of the mother's individual claims, finding she properly filed the necessary administrative claims.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about safety and security issues in Iowa's prisons, including inadequate training, staffing shortages, and the availability of dangerous tools to inmates. The ruling allows the mother to seek accountability and potentially lead to reforms to better protect prison staff.

The details

In March 2021, inmates Thomas Woodward and Michael Dutcher used hammers to fatally bludgeon nurse Lorena Schulte and corrections officer Robert McFarland during a failed prison escape at Anamosa State Penitentiary. Schulte's mother, Stephanie Schulte, filed a lawsuit against the state, which was initially dismissed but has now been revived on her individual claims. The court found Schulte properly filed administrative claims, even without separate filings for the estate and herself.

• The attack occurred on March 23, 2021 at Anamosa State Penitentiary.
• Stephanie Schulte's lawsuit was dismissed by a judge in October 2024.
• Schulte appealed the dismissal, and the Iowa Court of Appeals ruled in her favor on February 2, 2026.

What’s next

The lawsuit filed by Stephanie Schulte will now proceed on her individual claims of wrongful death, loss of consortium and emotional distress against the state.