MASON CITY – A Mason City doctor is behind bars tonight after the domestic drama in her life apparently reached a boiling point this year, and now is ordered to get a mental health evaluation.
Back on January 25, 2024, in Cerro Gordo county court, public records show Gregory Grimberg initiated a petition for relief from domestic abuse (a civil action) against 38-year-old Cristen Kern-Hays (pictured at top). According to research, Gregory Grimberg is listed as a general surgeon at the Mason City Clinic. Cristen Kern-Hays is advertised as a doctor at Mercy One North Iowa in Mason City. According to their website, she claims, “What I love most is helping you improve your lifestyle.”
Well, Dr. Kern-Hays apparently has not been doing Dr. Grimberg any favors with his lifestyle, and he has not been taking what she’s been dishing out, sitting down. In connection to the petition for relief from domestic abuse, the legal system that Grimberg thrust upon Kern-Hays has accused her eleven times of violating a no-contact order that was issued by a judge. So far, one count against her was dismissed. However, Judge Rustin Davenport found her guilty on five counts, sentencing her to seven days in jail on each count. She’s also been ordered to pay $746.52, so far, in court costs. The other five counts are showing not yet adjudicated, according to court records.
Records show Kern-Hays was booked into the Cerro Gordo county jail on December 4, 2024, at 5:22 PM, and appears to be serving a sentence on at least two of the no-contact order violation counts.
Prior to the initiation of the civil matter, Kern-Hays allegedly committed an assault (insulting or offensive contact, a simple misdemeanor) on January 19, 2024, in Mason City. Police brought the charge in March. A warrant was issued by a judge, and Mason City police went and arrested her. However, after months of court hearings, a not-guilty plea, and trial date postponements, the charge was ultimately dismissed. Regardless, Hays was ordered to pay $390.50 to the court in the matter, and in October was issued a “FINAL NOTICE OF PAST DUE COURT FINE AND COSTS” records show, although the balance is now paid.
Kern-Hays was also charged with stalking, by Mason City police. They claimed she committed the offense on February 29, 2024. She pleaded not guilty in April and again after months of court hearings and trial dates being set, accepted a plea deal in October. She pleaded guilty to first-degree harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor. On November 20, 2024, Judge Adam Sauer handed down a deferred judgement, but sentenced her to a year of probation. She was also order to obtain a mental health evaluation and pay $1,250.52 in fines and other court costs.
Kern-Hays was also the subject of a search warrant that was executed on September 16, 2024.
I can fix her