In The News:
by Connor Hansen
Stillwater, Okla. — The Stillwater Police say a woman was arrested by narcotics officers while she was trying to sell syringes full of morphine.
That’s when, according to court records, the woman told them she took the drugs from the assisted living facility where she worked.
Police say Danelle Lee was one of a few people who had access to medications at the Brookdale Assisted Living Facility.
“She was a medication administration tech with this facility,” said Capt. Kyle Gibbs with the Stillwater Police Department. “She was one of those few people who was authorized to get medication from a locked cabinet, go administer it to patients and then logged.”
Besides larceny for stealing the morphine, Lee was charged with abuse by a caretaker.
Police say a patient was supposed to receive that morphine for pain, and was in the advanced stages of cancer.
Court records say the patient passed away just a few days after the medication was stolen.
“There was some degree of suffering for both patients, because they missed those doses.” Gibbs said.
Captain Gibbs says it looks like the assisted living facility was doing everything it was supposed to be doing, and Danelle Lee didn’t have a criminal history.
After a visit from the State Department of Heath earlier this year, records show Brookdale didn’t have any issues.
The World Health Organization says last year about one in six people over the age of 60 reported some form of abuse in a community setting.
It also says only one in 24 cases of elder abuse is reported, and seniors are less likely to report abuse.
“Check on your family members often and frequently, as much as you can,” Gibbs said. “Keep an eye on them, see how they’re doing, ask a lot of questions and if something looks odd to you, like they’re not getting their medication, ask questions.”
The Nursing Home Abuse Center says besides keeping in contact with a senior, you should try to make sure they aren’t isolated.
And watch for any changes in mood or appearance.
The Brookdale Assisted Living Facility sent KOKH a statement saying “We take these situations very seriously as the safety of our residents is our top priority. Our company has strict standards in place, including background checks, compliance with state rules and regulations, and ongoing training for employees. When we were informed of the associate arrest, we immediately terminated her employment. We worked with police and provided assistance when needed.
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