A former medical technician took medication prescribed to her older adult patient at a personal care facility in Blakely, investigators charge.
The state attorney general’s office charged Carol M. Mayer, 49, of Archbald, with felony counts of obtaining a narcotic through fraud or misrepresentation.
The charges stem from an investigation into missing oxycodone tablets at Serenity Care in Peckville.
According to the criminal complaint:
On Nov. 14, the patient returned to Serenity Care after undergoing surgery and was prescribed oxycodone.
The next day, the patient requested pain medication and was given one tablet. The complaint indicates it was the only time she asked for pain medication.
Facility records, however, showed that Mayer had documented administering four tablets from Nov. 15-18. The patient said she never took them.
Administrators reviewed the medication log and found inconsistencies.
Investigators spoke with the patient, who confirmed she hadn’t received additional doses. A urine test conducted Nov. 20 indicated there were no opioids present in the patient’s system.
Investigators then interviewed Mayer, who admitted to removing four oxycodone tablets from the facility and taking them herself. She told investigators she flushed one tablet because the patient had touched it to her lips and then refused it, but there was no documentation to support her statement.
Mayer resigned from her position Nov. 19, after administrators requested a meeting with her.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Dec. 29 before District Judge Joanne Corbett.