Ex-hospice employee is indicted in drug theft

7/22/2008

A former nurse at the Hospice of Northwest Ohio who resigned after being suspected of stealing liquid pain medication was indicted by a Lucas County grand jury yesterday on theft charges.

Mary Mitchell, 51, of Maumee, was charged with three counts of theft of drugs. She faces up to 4 1/2 years in prison if convicted.

The Hospice of Northwest Ohio facility in South Toledo filed a police report last week after conducting an internal investigation. Ms. Mitchell was suspected of stealing pain medication.

The medication is an injectable liquid packaged in a pre-measured vial. Patients are given their prescribed dosage and the remaining medication is supposed to be disposed of.

The charges are the second time Ms. Mitchell faced theft of drug accusations. In 2001, she was charged with theft of drugs but was allowed to participate in the treatment in lieu of conviction program, which she completed successfully.

According to Common Pleas Court records, her probation was terminated on Jan. 1, 2004.