Former Delano School Custodian Convicted of Gross Misdemeanor

Michael Timothy Hedtke required to register as a predatory offender after pleading guilty to interference with privacy

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:27pm

An extreme close-up photograph of a single school janitor's key, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The conviction of a former school employee for a privacy-related offense exposes the need for vigilance in protecting student safety, even after an employee's tenure has ended.Delano Today

Michael Timothy Hedtke, a former custodian at Delano Intermediate School in Minnesota, was convicted of a gross misdemeanor in Wright County District Court and is required to register as a predatory offender. Hedtke pleaded guilty to interference with privacy, and four felony charges, including two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, were dismissed as part of the case.

Why it matters

The conviction of a school employee for a privacy-related offense raises concerns about the safety and trust within the school community, even though the incident occurred after Hedtke's employment had ended. This case highlights the importance of thorough background checks and ongoing monitoring of school staff to protect students.

The details

Judge John Bowen sentenced Hedtke to 364 days in the Wright County Jail, with 45 days to be served on work release if eligible and 319 days stayed for two years. Hedtke was also placed on supervised probation for two years and is barred from unsupervised contact with minors.

  • Hedtke worked for Delano Public Schools from October 2019 to January 2024.
  • Hedtke was convicted on February 19, 2026.
  • Hedtke was in custody at the Wright County Jail as of March 27, 2026, with a scheduled release date of April 2, 2026.

The players

Michael Timothy Hedtke

A 38-year-old former custodian at Delano Intermediate School who was convicted of a gross misdemeanor and is required to register as a predatory offender.

John Bowen

The Wright County District Court judge who sentenced Hedtke.

Delano Public Schools

The school district where Hedtke was employed as a custodian from October 2019 to January 2024.

Bobbie Dahlke

The communications director for Delano Public Schools.

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What they’re saying

“The individual's conviction occurred after his employment with the district had ended. Because he was no longer employed by the district at the time of the offense or conviction, the district has no involvement in the matter.”

— Bobbie Dahlke, Communications Director, Delano Public Schools

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of thorough background checks and ongoing monitoring of school staff to protect students, even after an employee's tenure has ended. The conviction of a former school custodian for a privacy-related offense raises concerns about the safety and trust within the school community.