Lakewood nurse sentenced to 3 years probation for stealing prescription drugs from patients

By Chris Anderson and Tiarra Braddock

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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - A former nurse from the Lakewood area was sentenced to probation on Wednesday morning.

Michelle Brown appeared in front of a judge on theft and drug possession charges after being convicted for stealing prescription drugs from her patients.

“I took one of the patient’s morphine and I would replaced it with water,” said Brown.

Before the judge handed down her sentence, Brown explained it was her addiction to alcohol that made her steal medication from her patients.

“I know I can overcome this, I know I can,” Brown added.

The judge ordered that Brown serve three years of probationary community control. If she violates the sanction, Brown could be sent to prison for up to 18 months.

Investigators say Brown stole drugs from patients while she was working at the Crestmont North Nursing Facility on Detroit Road.

“This defendant took advantage of her position as a nurse to illicitly obtain drugs and tried to conceal the evidence. In doing so, she placed innocent patients at risk by tampering with their medication,” Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley said.

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Lakewood nurse sentenced to 3 years probation for stealing prescription drugs from patients