Parkridge Hospital ex-nurse charged in drug theft

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Shannon Rene Williams

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A former nurse at Parkridge Hospital East was charged with stealing narcotics from the drug dispensary Tuesday, according to a news release.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office narcotics and special operations division charged Shannon Rene Williams with 10 counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and one count of felony theft.

According to the release, officials at the hospital became suspicious and reported to authorities in April that they suspected an employee was stealing drugs from the drug dispensing machine. An investigation revealed that Williams was taking drugs and billing patients not under her care.

The stolen drugs were reported to be morphine, Demerol and Dilaudid. The drugs are highly addictive and used to treat moderate to severe pain. These types of drugs also are sold on the street, the release says.