Georgetown nurse accused of stealing drugs, taking advantage of vulnerable adults

GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCBD) — A Mount Pleasant woman has been charged with stealing drugs and taking advantage of residents at a Georgetown nursing home during her time as a registered nurse there.

Heather Leigh Smith, 44, was charged with six counts of exploitation of a vulnerable adult and six counts of theft of a controlled substance. She was booked at the Georgetown County Detention Center.

The Georgetown Police Department was notified of an incident on March 13, 2023 while Smith was working at Prince George Healthcare Center, according to the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office (SCAG).

Investigators with SCAG’s Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit and the Bureau of Drug Control found that between February 19, 2023, and March 7, 2023, Smith took controlled substances for her personal use and withheld Oxycodone and Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen that was prescribed to six residents at Prince George.

All six victims are considered vulnerable adults under South Carolina Law and were residents of the facility, SCAG said.

Both charges are considered felonies, and each carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

SCAG will prosecute this case.

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