NEWS
Court charges student
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Natalie Rhoads:
- Morgridge Center finds new head (May 2, 2005)
- Proposal urges SOAR diversity orientation (April 6, 2005)
- State: no mediator in TAA negotiations (May 2, 2005)
- Votes for Earl all for nought (April 11, 2005)
- Incidents lead to player suspension (May 3, 2005)
Related Stories:
- Police hunt for Liz Waters arsonist (April 17, 2002)
- Weinswig retirement announced (September 19, 2002)
- Kuhns arrested, awaits formal charges (November 4, 2003)
- Charges brought against Jensen, Foti, Ladwig (October 21, 2002)
- Pharmacy wins city health award (April 11, 2007)
Share This:
by Natalie Rhoads
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
A University of Wisconsin pharmacy student was charged this month for three accounts of fires she allegedly started in the Elizabeth Waters residence hall two years ago, in addition to a charge of allegedly stalking a UW Pharmacy School official.
Kelly Fausek, 22, is charged in association with a fire started in 2002, which she claims she started unintentionally by heating an Ace bandage in the microwave. Fausek allegedly started the second fire the day after in a trash can, which she denied starting at the time and helped put out. The third fire with which Fausek was allegedly involved ended in an evacuation of the dorm.
Fausek was connected to the fires after she was caught on camera delivering threatening letters to a female Pharmacy School official and herself, according to UW Police Department Detective Carol Ann Glassmaker.
Glassmaker said an undercover camera was set up to watch over Fausek’s mailbox, which taped Fausek delivering a letter to herself. She matched the description and was taken in for questioning, where she admitted to sending the threatening letters to get attention.
Glassmaker added Fausek’s behavior could be a sign she is in need of help. She noted the police often try to help out the victim and the perpetrator, because both are often in need of aid.
“I don’t think someone is doing something for attention unless they are crying out for help,” Glassmaker said.
Glassmaker said Fausek could face up to 10 years in jail if she is charged with the felony of stalking in addition to starting the fires.
Glassmaker and Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard said fires reported on the UW campus are uncommon; however, stalking by UW officials and students is a problem they see repeatedly.
“Stalking is unfortunately something that occurs in Dane County and on campus,” Blanchard said.
According to Blanchard, stalking victims often do not report the incident until months later. He said it was vital for stalking victims to report the crime immediately in order to catch the perpetrator.
“We encourage people who believe they are a victim of stalking to get in touch with the police immediately,” Blanchard said.
Currently a court date has not been set for Fausek’s trial. Fausek is reportedly awaiting trial while staying at a relative’s home. She is not allowed to be on campus or in contact with the victim.
Anonymous (January 19, 2005 @ 2:20pm):
Did I read this right? "stalking by UW officials is a problem they see repeatedly"?
Anonymous (January 19, 2005 @ 2:30pm):
Is that sentence correct? "stalking by UW officials is a problem they see....."?????
Anonymous (January 19, 2005 @ 9:24pm):
I'm not sure where you people get your information, but I have good evidence that at least two of the statements you've made are incorrect.
Anonymous (January 20, 2005 @ 12:45am):
The poor chick needs paxil, not prison.
DPH-2 student (January 21, 2005 @ 11:54am):
Considering the continual stresses placed on pharmacy students, I'm surprised we're still maintaining some degree of sanity.
Anonymous (February 15, 2005 @ 11:24am):
I response to the Paxil, not prison comment -- would you say the same thing if it was a guy and not a gal who is being charged with stalking? Stalking is stalking no matter what the gender of the stalker.
