Two employees of Cordova Health and Rehabilitation have been arrested on various charges, including theft of a controlled substance, attempted distribution and elder abuse.
According to court documents and a Facebook statement released Wednesday by District Attorney Bill Adair, Jared Norris, 34, a nurse at the facility, was charged with two counts of second-degree theft of a controlled substance, third-degree theft, attempted controlled substance possession, attempted distribution of a controlled substance, fourth-degree forgery, two counts of second-degree elder abuse and neglect and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
Karrie Garza, 31, an LPN at the facility, was charged with attempted controlled substance possession, attempted distribution of a controlled substances, fourth degree forgery and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
Norris was arrested on Friday and Garza was arrested on Monday, according to court documents.
According to court documents, between April 1 and May 2, Norris signed out a dozen doses of 5mg Oxycodone prescribed for a 90-year-old patient but did not administer it.
Norris also is accused of signing out six doses of 7.5mg Norco tablets for an 81-year-old patient that was not administered.
The elder abuse charges stem from depriving those patients of their medications.
Norris also reportedly removed two prescription cards for a 77-year-old patient which each containing eight Onbdansetron 4mg tablets, for a total value of $595.20.
According to the court documents, Norris met with Garza between Jan. 31 and May 1 for the purpose of obtaining valium pills and in turn distributed Norco pills to Garza.
Norris also reportedly met with Garza on or about May 1 to discuss, exchange or purchase Norco and other controlled substances.
The forgery charges stem from Norris signing documents stating that he administered/wasted medication that was unaccounted for based on the subsequent investigation.
According to court documents, Garza signed documents stating that she saw Norris “waste” medication which ultimately was not wasted.
Bail for both has been set at $100,000 cash.
The facility’s administration reported the problem to law enforcement and thoroughly cooperated with Cordova Police Department Officer Branndon Collins, according to a post made Wednesday on the Walker County District Attorney Office’s Facebook page.
Source: MOUNTAIN EAGLE