(Editor’s Note: KCE wouldn’t normally publish details of one’s mental health issues unless there are exigent circumstances. In this case, KCE decided there are. Ms. Cassity was running for public office.)

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On February 2, 2024, KCE told you about a criminal with severe mental illness that was running for the Kenosha Unified School Board. Today, however, Angela Cassity (D) has announced that she is no longer seeking a spot on the board. According to a statement on her campaign page:

“I have decided to step away from this election and end my campaign for KUSD School Board. However, I will continue to support public schools, teachers, and students – as I always have. Thank you very much to the many friends and supporters I met in the process of running. I wish you the best!”

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Although Cassity said she is ending her campaign, she will still appear on the ballot, as she gathered enough signatures to be listed. Per a KUSD spokesman, “We have not received anything official from Cassity regarding her candidacy, but according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, statutory language says… “[a]ny person who files nomination papers and qualifies to appear on the ballot may not decline nomination. The name of that person shall appear upon the ballot except in the case of death of the person.” So, her name will remain on the ballot even if she chooses to withdraw…”

KCE performed a background check on Cassity, as we usually do, and found some information that will be alarming to most voters. Not only does she have a criminal record, but she has mental illness that is so severe, that it caused her to to leave her home completely naked, wander around the streets, and have to be taken to the hospital by Sheriff’s Deputies.

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On March 29, 2010, Cassity was charged with a felony count of fleeing or eluding an officer for an incident that occurred the day before. According to Pleasant Prairie Police reports and court documents, Cassity failed to pull over for the police and resisted arrest on March 28, 2010.

According to the criminal complaint:

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Officer Michael Prange of the Pleasant Prairie Police Department reports that on Sunday, March 28, 2010 at approximately 5:39 p.m. he was on duty in full uniform and fully marked squad car traveling southbound in the 8900 block of STH 31 in the Village of Pleasant Prairie, Kenosha County, Wisconsin when he observed a white vehicle pass his marked squad car in the center lane.  Officer Prange reports that he visually estimated the white vehicle’s speed to be in excess of 100 miles per hour, approximately 110-120 miles per hour, based on his training and experience.  Officer Prange reports that he activated his lights and siren and attempted to stop the white vehicle.  Officer Prange reports that the white vehicle weaved and passed other vehicles “recklessly.”  Officer Prange reports that as he got closer to the white vehicle, it cut through traffic even more.  Officer Prange reports that the white vehicle began to pass other vehicles on the shoulder and on the gravel.  Officer Prange reports that he closed the gap between his squad car and the white vehicle in the 11000 block of STH 31 and the white vehicle went onto the shoulder to pass other vehicles, but the other vehicles also went into the shoulder and the white vehicle was forced to reduce its speed.  Officer Prange was able to see the white vehicle’s license plate was North Carolina: YXM 3597.

Officer Prange approached the white vehicle with his gun drawn and ordered the driver to turn off the ignition and throw the keys out the window.  The driver later was identified verbally as Angela Cassity, the defendant.  The defendant complied, but then began to “violently” throw other things from her vehicle and gesture in a “threatening” manner.  The defendant bent over in the vehicle and Officer Prange could not see the defendant’s hands.  Then the defendant began throwing things out of the vehicle again and shaking her hands in a “threatening“ manner.  Back-up officers arrived on the scene in the 11000 block of STH 31, Pleasant Prairie, Kenosha County, Wisconsin.  The defendant exited the vehicle and showed her hands.  Officer Prange reports that as he attempted to handcuff her, the defendant pulled her hands away from him and physically resisted, yelling, “You are not going to fucking handcuff me for driving too fast!”  The defendant continued to fight and actively resist.  As Officer Prange attempted to handcuff her, the defendant was swinging her legs up and kicking Officer Prange in the back.  Officer Prange and other officers escorted the defendant to a squad car and the defendant continued to try to pull away, yelling and using profanity.

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The defendant was handcuffed to a wall in the Pleasant Prairie Police Department and Officer Prange reports that the defendant was observed reaching into her pockets and tampering with the handcuffs, trying to pick the lock.

Of course, the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office dismissed the felony and allowed Cassity to plead guilty to only one misdemeanor count of Resisting/Failing to Stop/Fleeing and one misdemeanor count of resisting an officer. She was sentenced to 6 months probation.

Nude Mental Health Incident

About six months ago, in the early morning hours of August 8, 2023, Angela Cassity’s son called 9-1-1 to report that her mother was having a mental health issue and left her home completely naked and ran into a corn field. Deputies quickly arrived to render aid to the woman in crisis.

One Deputy piloted a drone to search the corn field for heat signature. He was unsuccessful at locating Cassity. More deputies soon arrived and canvassed the neighborhood. Another deputy located Cassity in the grass area of the apartment complex completely nude. Cassity was non-responsive to officers and didn’t seem to notice they were there. Two deputies grabbed Cassity by her arms to assist her. She then displayed dead weight tactics and dropped to the ground. Deputies were eventually able to get Cassity in handcuffs and placed into the back of the squad car. A rescue squad was called and later transported Cassity to the hospital.

Deputies noted in their police reports that Cassity was non-verbal and not very aware of her surroundings. Cassity was continuously contorting her body in various ways. Cassity was suspected of being “off her meds.”

Cassity has also had other contact with police. She was the suspect in a battery and has had at least two contacts with the Kenosha Police Department labeled as “HIPPA”. Theses calls are often classified like this when someone is involuntarily committed to a mental health treatment facility.

Kenosha Police unlawfully denied public records requests for records for two reports that KCE is entitled to. KPD reversed course, and agreed to release the reports, but KCE has still not received the requested reports.

Even with Cassity’s past, the Democrats on the school board, Todd Price, Rebecca Stevens, Mary Modder, and Yolanda Santos have endorsed her candidacy. We asked them if they were concerned with Ms. Cassity’s mental health and criminal history and none of the four responded to our inquiries. We also contacted Cassity who refused comment.