Nursing home tech admits stealing patients’ drugs

Published August 23, 2014 1:01pm ET



ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — A New York nursing home worker has admitted to stealing prescription drugs from elderly patients by substituting similar looking pills in their place.

Authorities say Deborah Cleveland of Rochester was a medication technician at the Heather Heights Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility in Pittsford when the thefts occurred.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Friday that the 42-year-old stole about 650 pills, including 230 oxycodone pills from one victim.

Cleveland pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of attempted fraud in Pittsford Town Court. She’s expected to receive a sentence of probation and four weekends in jail when she is sentenced in October.