BOSTON – A brazen scheme by a former nurse to adulterate fentanyl at a local hospital has landed her in hot water. Caroline Sheehan, 39, of Lowell, Mass., was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to steer clear of employment that requires a registered nurse license or permits access to prescription narcotics.
Sheehan, a former nurse, pleaded guilty in February 2024 to one count of adulteration of a prescription drug with intent to defraud and mislead. The scheme unfolded in March 2021 while she was working at a Massachusetts hospital.
According to officials, Sheehan removed a bag of intravenous fentanyl solution from an automated dispensing machine. She then used a syringe to remove fentanyl from the IV bag, injected saline into the bag to replace the fentanyl she had removed and returned the bag to its drawer in the machine.
A hospital employee spotted a blood stain on the IV bag and removed it from the machine before the adulterated fentanyl solution could be administered to a patient. Laboratory testing confirmed that the IV bag contained less than the declared concentration of fentanyl.
Sheehan later confessed to stealing prescription drugs from the hospital for months, replacing the siphoned drugs with saline solution, to feed her substance abuse addiction. The hospital employee’s timely intervention prevented any potential harm to patients.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, FDA officials, and Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner Robert H. Goldstein announced the sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Begg Lawrence, Chief of the Health Care Fraud Unit, prosecuted the case.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of addiction and the devastating consequences of illicit activities within the healthcare system. As a nurse, Sheehan was entrusted with the highest level of patient care, but instead, she chose to compromise that trust for personal gain.
The sentencing is a testament to the diligence of law enforcement and the healthcare community in preventing harm and holding individuals accountable for their actions.
The case highlights the importance of implementing robust security measures in hospitals to prevent the misuse of prescription medications. It also underscores the need for healthcare professionals to prioritize patient safety and well-being above personal interests.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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