Florida Nurse Charged with Stealing Fentanyl from Patient

A former ICU nurse in Florida is facing serious charges after being accused of stealing fentanyl from a patient’s IV infusion last June. Leslie Ann Pope, 54, from Jupiter, was not responsible for the patient’s care at the time of the alleged incident, which took place at Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital.

The Port St. Lucie Police Department reported that Pope was arrested on October 8 following these grave allegations. They claim she “unlawfully removed fentanyl from a critically ill patient’s IV infusion while working in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).”

A family member of the patient stated they saw Pope taking fluid from the fentanyl infusion using a syringe, which she then allegedly pocketed before leaving the room.

According to the police, the following evening brought a second incident where Pope reportedly returned to the room and approached the IV equipment once more. This time, a family member intervened, and detectives later examined video footage showing her tampering with protective caps on the equipment. However, investigators could not confirm that any additional medication was taken during this visit.

This incident prompted a detailed investigation, culminating in a 15-page arrest affidavit. The inquiry included witness interviews, video analysis from the hospital, review of medical and administrative records, and consultations with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The Cleveland Clinic confirmed on Tuesday that Pope is no longer employed there and emphasized that hospital leadership is cooperating fully with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.

During the situation, Pope insisted that an alarm was going off on the patient’s IV, prompting her intervention. However, the family member, who has medical experience, disputed this claim and alerted hospital staff to the suspicious activity.

Pope now faces charges for grand theft of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance.

Fentanyl, as explained by the Cleveland Clinic, is an opioid typically used by medical professionals to manage severe pain. Brittany McNally, a public information officer for the police department, noted, “We don’t want to speculate what she could be using it for, whether it’s personal or, you know, selling it. We don’t have that information at this point.”