A nurse at Weatherwood has been charged with stealing narcotics.

Weatherly police have charged Michelle Sabo, 47, of Hazleton with forgery and possession of a controlled substance after receiving a report from Weatherwood Nursing Facility that she was stealing narcotics in her role as a licensed practical nurse for the facility.

According to reports received from Nicole Grego, Weatherwood Nursing Administrator, on Jan. 14 Sabo had 19 incidents where prescribed medication was improperly documented, claiming it was dropped or destroyed.

It was also documented that some residents who received prescribed oxycodone on as-needed basis were receiving the medication only when Sabo worked. These incidents occurred after a face-to face-meeting was held with Sabo on Dec. 21 that required her to have a co-signature on all destroyed narcotics and as-needed medications dispensed.

On Jan. 31 Sabo admitted to police she would falsely document that a pill was dropped and/or medications were given to residents by forging another staff member’s name on the Weatherwood’s controlled drug records paperwork. Sabo would then take the pill for personal use. She also admitted to forging a nurse’s name in an attempt to avoid getting into trouble with the facility.

Sabo was arraigned before District Magisterial Judge Joseph D. Homanko Sr. on charges of prohibited acts, forgery and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Bail of $50,000 unsecured was posted. A preliminary hearing will be held March 6.