A nurse at a Brownsville healthcare facility has been arrested after being accused of being high at work and stealing fentanyl patches from residents.
On Saturday afternoon at approximately 2:00, Edmonson County deputies were dispatched to Genesis Healthcare, an 86-bed nursing home, on the report of an impaired employee, 48-year-old Melissa C. Howard, of Scottsville, a Licensed Practical Nurse.
The Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office said that nurses on duty “noticed Howard staggering, having slurred speech, and acting impaired.” Additionally, a fellow nurse found a 100 mg fentanyl patch in Howard’s pocket.
When law enforcement arrived, they found Howard chewing on the plastic backing of a fentanyl patch as “she showed classic signs of impairment,” according to the sheriff’s office. Two other fentanyl patches were found in Howard’s position.
During the investigation, it was determined the fentanyl patches had been stolen from patients of the facility.
Howard was arrested and charged with three counts of theft by unlawful taking, possession of a controlled substance (under $10,000), possession of a controlled substance (opiates), tampering with physical evidence, and public intoxication (controlled substance).
She was transported to The Medical Center at Caverna for medical clearance and then transported and lodged in the Hart County Jail. She is no longer listed as an inmate.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.
(No mugshot was available)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
