INDIANAPOLIS – An Indiana nurse accused of removing a COVID-19 patient’s oxygen at a badly staffed nursing household has pleaded responsible to a felony, but will acquire no jail time.
Connie Sneed, 54, of New Albany, pleaded guilty Thursday in Clark Circuit Courtroom to knowingly or intentionally performing as a physician’s assistant with no a license, a Amount 6 felony. Below the plea deal, she acquired a suspended sentence of 540 days, which suggests she will never serve jail time if she stays out of difficulties.
Sneed did not immediately return phone phone calls from IndyStar, aspect of the United states of america Nowadays Network.
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Nurse posted on Fb about incident
Sneed was a accredited useful nurse at Wedgewood Healthcare Middle in Clarksville when she drew notice from authorities for what prosecutors called a “brazen” Facebook article.
In the write-up, Sneed said she questioned the client if he preferred her to eliminate his oxygen mask so he could “fly with the angels.” She described it as “the toughest thing I’ve ever performed in 28 years.”
The affected individual, James Godfrey, 72, died on April 30, 2020, several hours after his oxygen was unhooked. He had been a resident at the nursing property for a lot more than a thirty day period. His health care conditions involved dementia and occasional despair.
Sneed was to begin with charged in March 2021 with training medicine without a license, a Amount 5 felony that carries a penalty of up to 6 several years in prison. The demand was amended to the decrease level felony as component of Sneed’s plea offer with Clark County prosecutors.
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Clark County Prosecutor Jeremy Mull reported in an e-mail to IndyStar that it was important to him that Sneed be convicted of a felony specified the gravity of her actions. But he claimed other components favored a sentence with out jail time, which include Sneed’s perception that she was aiding a suffering individual, her distinguished history as a nurse and her acceptance of obligation. The plea offer also permitted the case to be solved without putting the deceased patient’s spouse and children by a prolonged trial, he mentioned.
“This circumstance presented countervailing concerns, but at the close of the working day, the proof left me convinced that Ms. Sneed was a nurse who deeply cared for her individuals, but who designed a oversight in judgment that led to a extremely critical final result,” Mull claimed. “I am content that this specific conviction and sentence is just and fair in this situation.”
In an job interview with state overall health inspectors a several times immediately after Godfrey’s dying, Sneed verified that she had taken out the resident’s oxygen. She stated that she’d had a “horrible” 7 days and was caring for extra than 40 COVID-19 people at the facility when she forgot to notify the resident’s health practitioner of his drop.
Sneed also told inspectors the resident’s daughter had told her “if it was her father’s needs she could clear away the mask.”
Nursing house experienced 22 COVID fatalities
Heading into the pandemic, Wedgewood experienced the lowest probable staffing rating from federal regulators – “much below average” – and was in the bottom 15% for full staffing nationally. It remains poorly rated.
The nursing property was among the amenities hit notably difficult by the virus. At the very least 80 inhabitants contracted the coronavirus and 22 died, in accordance to point out health data. The 124-bed facility is owned by Columbus Regional Medical center and operated by CommuniCare.
Data show the nursing house and Columbus Regional Hospital settled a wrongful demise lawsuit submitted by Godfrey’s family members, but the medical center has not disclosed the conditions.
Janet McSharar, a medical malpractice legal professional who represented the clinic in the scenario, reported she could not go over it. “Both of those parties to this declare agreed to the confidentiality of the settlement,” she reported, “like all phrases thereof.”
IndyStar has submitted a community information request searching for a duplicate of the settlement.
Wedgewood fired Sneed on May perhaps 6, 2020, immediately after its govt director decided Sneed had not acquired a doctor’s order to administer oxygen nor to afterwards clear away the oxygen supply.
The state’s expert licensing databases demonstrates her nursing license has been suspended considering that May 2021.
Observe IndyStar reporter Tony Cook dinner on Twitter: @IndyStarTony.
