Visiting Nurse Charged with Felonies for Neglect, Possession
Visiting Nurse Charged with Felonies for Neglect, Possession
A visiting nurse turned herself in following an investigation into suspected drug diversion that affected thirteen patients in total.
A visiting nurse at Epworth Manor turned herself in Friday at District Court in Tyrone following an investigation by the Office of the Attorney General into alleged incidents that occurred at the local nursing facility Dec. 28 and Dec. 30, 2021. Brittany Morgan Quarello, 32, of Altoona, faces felony charges for neglect, obtaining possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery or deception, and a misdemeanor for furnishing false/fraudulent material.
The Attorney General was contacted by Tyrone Police regarding a suspected drug diversion at Epworth Manor. Epworth Manor staff had provided Tyrone Police with documents, which were forwarded to a narcotics agent for review. Among the documents were medial administration records, controlled drug records, witness statements and a spreadsheet created by the director of nursing, which outlined the reported issues.
This affected thirteen patients in total. Doses of oxycodone, tramadol and lyrica were unaccounted for, according to the charges filed.
Approximate date(s) of the diversion:
12/28/2021
Where the Diversion Occurred:
Epworth Manor
925 S Lincoln Ave, Tyrone, PA 16686
Type of Healthcare Facility:
Hospital
Person Diverting:
Brittany Morgan Quarello
Profession of the person diverting:
Nurse
Has the incident been reported?
e.g. to local law enforcement, county board of health, state licensure board, and/or federal DEA or FDA authorities?
Yes
To whom has the incident been reported?
Local Law Enforcement
