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Nurse Jailed for Stealing Child's Pain Relief
17 Sep
Summary
- A former nurse received 30 days for stealing a child patient's morphine.
- The theft occurred at the University of Maryland Medical Center's PICU.
- The nurse showed signs of impairment and was fired after refusing a drug test.
Kaitlyn Elizabeth Chalmers, a former registered nurse, has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for diverting a controlled substance. The incident involved stealing morphine prescribed for a 10-year-old patient recovering from surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Court records indicate Chalmers failed to document a morphine dose for the child, claiming the patient had developed a tolerance. However, staff suspected drug diversion, and other nurses reported Chalmers exhibiting signs of impairment. She was subsequently removed from the unit and fired after refusing a drug screening.
Chalmers received a one-year suspended sentence, with 30 days to be served, followed by two years of supervised probation. Her probation includes a ban on caring for children and participation in healthcare programs.
