A Georgia hospital nurse accused of theft now faces additional charges of elder abuse for stealing jewelry from patients, one of whom suffered a dislocated finger when her ring was forcibly removed.
A former nurse at North Fulton Hospital, Stephanie Phillips-Siwiec, is facing multiple charges after allegedly stealing from elderly patients under her care. Phillips-Siwiec has been charged with three counts of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the elderly, three counts of robbery, and aggravated battery. These charges come on top of prior felony theft charges according to Roswell police reports.
The investigation began after a 95-year-old patient's daughter reported that her mother's $1,000 gold bracelet went missing while receiving care at the hospital on Sept. 28. An affidavit obtained by Fox 5 revealed further complaints from other patients, including 87-year-old Patricia Gaskins, whose finger was discovered to be dislocated with a cracked bone after Phillips-Siwiec allegedly removed her rings using hand sanitizer.
"I can't explain the feeling that came over me from horror, nausea, wanting to scream," Gaskins' daughter told FOX 5 News. "You lose faith in humanity at that moment, that this happened in a place where someone is supposed to be cared for."
Phillips-Siwiec appeared in court Thursday, where she was heard saying, "Oh my god," and "That's not true," under her breath in response to the allegations. Bail was set at $140,000, and the judge ordered her to avoid contact with anyone over the age of 75 or connected to North Fulton Hospital and prohibited her from working as a nurse.
Wellstar Health System, which operates North Fulton Hospital, placed Phillips-Siwiec on administrative leave. The hospital is cooperating with authorities and issued an apology to affected patients and their families.
"These allegations, if true, go against everything we stand for as caregivers," a hospital spokesperson said. "Every person should feel safe and comfortable when they receive care."
The case is still under investigation, and authorities encourage any other potential victims to contact the Roswell Police Department.
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