Published: June 28, 2007 10:07 am         

Woman accused of removing ailing patient's patches

NORMAN, Okla. — A Moore woman formerly employed at a local nursing home has been charged with caretaker abuse by neglect, after she reportedly was caught taking pain patches off the body of an elderly patient suffering from terminal cancer.

The felony charge against Patrisha Jarrett Winn, 37, Moore, was filed Wednesday in Cleveland County District Court.

District Attorney Greg Mashburn said the victim, an 89-year-old male patient, was prescribed the narcotic pain patches because of the “enormous amount of pain” he suffered due to the cancer.

“When they checked on him, he didn’t have two of the patches that were prescribed to him,” Mashburn said. “We’re charging (Winn) with caretaker abuse by neglect for failing to provide him with his prescribed medication and depriving him of his necessary medical care.”

Mashburn said caretaker abuse by neglect is defined in the statutes as “deprivation of care to a vulnerable adult.”

If found guilty, Winn faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $10,000, or both prison and a fine.



The Norman (Okla. ) Transcript