A nurse at an Ohio nursing home has been indicted for allegedly stealing more than $600 from an elderly resident. The alleged crimes took place on or about July 27 and July 28, 2024. The nurse was arrested on January 31, 2025.
The theft came to light when the resident contacted police to report suspicious activity on her bank statements. Several fraudulent transactions were made through the Walmart app on the resident’s cell phone, all from Walmart, despite the resident claiming she did not make the purchases.
Video footage from Walmart’s security cameras captured a female driver picking up items from the store’s pickup parking lot. The driver was identified as the nurse, who was also the registered owner of the vehicle, according to the prosecutor.
In a separate case, a Pennsylvania nursing home resident fell victim to a jewelry theft, according to police. On January 12, state police in Pennsylvania responded to a report of a theft at a nursing home in Lycoming County. The victim, a 102-year-old woman, reported the theft of three pieces of jewelry: two gold chain necklaces valued at $175 and a pearl necklace valued at $700. The theft is said to have occurred on January 10.
Compliance Perspective
Issue
Nursing facilities have a duty to protect residents from the misappropriation of their funds and personal property, including both physical items and personal devices. Upon admission, each resident’s belongings—such as credit cards, debit cards, cash, and smartphones—should be inventoried. Residents and their families should be reminded to notify nursing staff of any new items, including electronic devices, so they can be logged as part of the resident’s personal property. To minimize risk, residents should be discouraged from keeping large amounts of cash or multiple credit/debit cards in their possession, and facilities should offer lockboxes for securing valuables.
Discussion Points
- Review policies and procedures related to safeguarding residents’ financial property, including cash, debit and credit cards, valuable items like jewelry, and personal devices such as smartphones. Also review your policies and procedures on preventing, identifying, and reporting misappropriation of resident’s belongings or funds to ensure that they meet all requirements of federal and state regulations.
- Provide training on CMS regulations concerning residents’ rights to be free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and misappropriation of personal property. Educate staff on their responsibilities to prevent these issues, including the misuse of resident technology (such as unauthorized access to smartphones) and the potential personal liability for violations. Additionally, inform residents and their families about monitoring their bank and credit card balances, as well as ensuring the security of their personal devices, and reporting concerns promptly to facility administration or through the hotline.
- Periodically audit to verify that residents are provided with personal lockboxes and understand their importance. Investigate any reports of lost or stolen items thoroughly. Periodically audit resident fund accounts to detect potential misappropriations. Interview residents to assess their concerns regarding the safety of their belongings and funds.
*This news alert has been prepared by Med-Net Concepts, Inc. for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.*
