PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — A family member’s watch over a critically ill loved one led to the arrest of an ICU nurse accused of taking fentanyl from the patient’s IV infusion at Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital, Port St. Lucie police said.
Port St. Lucie police arrested Leslie Ann Pope, 54, of Jupiter, on Oct. 8 after an investigation into allegations that she allegedly removed fentanyl while working in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
A family member’s watch over a critically ill loved one led to the arrest of an ICU nurse accused of taking fentanyl from the patient’s IV infusion at Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital, Port St. Lucie police said. (WPEC)
Investigators said a family member saw Pope use a syringe to withdraw fluid from the patient’s fentanyl infusion, place the syringe in her pocket and leave the room. Police said Pope was not assigned to care for that patient.
The following evening, police said Pope returned to the patient’s room and approached the IV equipment again. This time, a family member intervened, and detectives later reviewed video that they said showed Pope manipulating protective caps on the equipment.
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Investigators said they were unable to establish whether additional medication was removed during the second encounter.
According to police, the investigation included witness interviews, hospital surveillance video, medical and administrative records, medication transaction reviews and coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Pope was arrested in Jupiter with help from the Palm Beach Marshals Task Force. She faces the following felony charges:
Grand theft of a controlled substancePossession of a controlled substance without a prescriptionFraudulently obtaining a controlled substance
The case remains active.