Massachusetts Nurse Charged with Tampering Oxy for Dementia Patient

BREAKING NEWS: A Massachusetts nurse has been arrested for allegedly tampering with prescription oxycodone intended for a dementia patient. Lori Robertson, aged 65, was taken into custody this week and charged with one count of tampering with a consumer product, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Robertson, a registered nurse licensed in Massachusetts, worked at a long-term care and rehabilitation facility in Amesbury, providing care to patients with chronic conditions and those recovering from acute illnesses. The indictment reveals that between her interactions with multiple patients, she was responsible for the care of a non-verbal hospice and dementia patient who was prescribed oxycodone.

The tampering incident reportedly occurred on March 31, 2023. Prosecutors allege that Robertson used a syringe to extract oxycodone from the patient’s prescription bottle, replacing the opioid with a household cleaner. This shocking act raised serious safety concerns, given the high risks associated with opioid misuse.

According to the federal indictment, Robertson acted with “reckless disregard” for the health risks posed to the patient, manifesting “extreme indifference” to the potential for severe harm or death. The tampered oxycodone, classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, was produced outside of Massachusetts.

The charge of tampering with a consumer product carries severe legal consequences, including a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Robertson was arraigned on Friday in front of Judge Paul Levenson at a federal court, where she pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution did not request her detention, instead agreeing to conditions for her release. These conditions include no use of drugs or alcohol, no contact with the alleged victim, and prohibition from any employment that would grant her access to prescription medications.

An initial status conference has been scheduled for November 24, 2023. As this case develops, the community is left grappling with the implications of such a breach of trust within a healthcare setting.

Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge in this urgent case. The safety of vulnerable patients hangs in the balance, highlighting the critical importance of integrity in healthcare.