CNA Sentenced for Stealing from Wyoming Nursing Home Residents
A certified nursing assistant pleaded guilty to three counts of exploitation of a vulnerable adult, and the District Judge sentenced her to spend from three to five years in prison for each of the three counts, but later amended the sentence. In the amended sentence, the defendant will spend 9 months (90 days for each count) in the county jail, followed by three years of supervised probation.
A local police detective became suspicious of recurring thefts that had been reported, including missing gift cards for Applebee’s and Walmart. That report caused the detective to remember five other previous complaints. He then worked with the nursing home staff and the families of the patients in an effort to catch the thief by purchasing more gift cards and placing them in different rooms.
According to an affidavit, one of the cards was reported missing and was used two days later at a Walmart. Surveillance cameras at the Walmart allowed the police to identify a CNA and to make an arrest.
The CNA told a detective that she started stealing money one month after beginning her work at the nursing home, and that she mostly stole from one particular resident. That resident told the police that the CNA also took $20 in cash and $30 in coins.
The defendant also stole $55.64 from a male resident by removing it from his pants when she was preparing his clothes for the laundry.
Compliance Perspective
Failing to protect residents’ valuables from theft by staff members may be considered a violation of the residents’ rights to be free from misappropriation and exploitation, and could result in citations from survey teams.
Discussion Points:
- Review policies and procedures regarding protecting residents’ valuables from misappropriation and exploitation.
- Train staff about the residents’ rights to be free from misappropriation and exploitation and their responsibility to protect residents’ belongings. Provide reinforcement to residents on the importance of placing their valuables in their locked drawers and securing the keys. Provide education to the residents and family members through the Residents’ Council and Family Council about the importance of safekeeping valuables in their locked drawers and not leaving them unprotected.
- Audit to determine that residents are provided with a locked drawer. Periodically, interview the residents to determine if they are missing any valuables, and if they are using the locked drawers.
