Fake nurse worked at multiple hospitals in L.A. County, police say

by: Travis Schlepp

(KTLA) — Police have arrested a woman who they say has been posing as a nurse and working at hospitals throughout Los Angeles County without a license.

The Burbank Police Department announced Thursday that Amanda Leeann Porter, 44, of Virginia, allegedly posed as a registered nurse at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center and oversaw dozens of patients for an entire month.

Porter does not hold a nursing license and is currently on federal probation for a fraud conviction in her home state, police said.

She was hired by the Catholic hospital back in April under a false identity. From April 8 to May 8, she oversaw as many as 60 patients before her colleagues discovered she was impersonating a real nurse who lived out of the state.

Amanda Leeann Porter, 44, of Virginia, is shown in this mugshot provided by the Burbank Police Department on Nov. 14, 2024.

She was eventually fired, but not before collecting two paychecks for her fraudulent employment, officials said.

Porter was arrested last week after she was released from custody for allegedly pulling the same stunt at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita. Investigators said she’s obtained employment with several hospitals using false identities.

Both hospitals released statements to KTLA in which they stated Porter was terminated immediately after the truth about her identity and qualifications was revealed.

She was under a probationary phase of her employment and was under the supervision of a qualified training nurse during her time at both hospitals. Neither health care facility believed the care she administered during her brief time on their payrolls was inadequate, officials said.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has filed multiple felony charges against her, officials said, including identity theft, false impersonation, and grand theft.

She’s currently being held without bail at the Los Angeles County Central Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood.

She is due to appear in Burbank Municipal Court on Dec. 2, jail records show.

Investigators believe Porter may have committed similar crimes throughout Southern California over the last year, and anyone with information is urged to contact Burbank PD Detective Arias at 818-238-3210.

Anonymous tips can be provided online or by calling 800-222-8477.

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Fake nurse worked at multiple hospitals in L.A. County, police say

Report: Hundreds charged for elder abuse in 2016

CBS46 NewsATLANTA (CBS46) - Three Dekalb County healthcare providers are now  facing charges after the death of a nursing home resident.

Investigators say Loyce Agyeman, Wanda Nuckles and Mable Turman failed to provide timely and necessary medical help and ignored a dying man's cries for help back in 2014.

But, this situation isn’t as isolated as you may think. It is said that for every one case of elder abuse that comes to the attention of authorities, there are another 23 cases never come to light. It’s an issue that has many like Stone Mountain resident Shoshannah Bryant on edge.

"My biggest concern is abuse I'm concerned about possible abuse," said Bryant who currently has two family members in area nursing homes.

Byrant adds she is constantly worried about the care her loved ones are receiving, a concern that is legitimate when examining recent statistics.

According to the Georgia Crime Information Center, more than 777 charges were filed against nearly 560 individuals for abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult in 2016. And, while the stats for 2017 aren't out yet they're expected to be similar.

"It could happen to anyone, my loved one is not exempt. But, I pray that it doesn't happen but it's possible because I'm not there 24/7 so I don't see everything that goes on in the facility," said Bryant.

But the Department of Human Services, Aging Services Division says there are a lot of things you can do to prevent your loved one from becoming a victim of elderly abuse.

"Around physical abuse, you want to look for bruising,the lacerations, you want to look for wounds that are various stages of healing, bite marks," said Abby Cox the director of Aging Services.

Cox adds because the signs of physical abuse can vary, you should also be on guard for signs of overall neglect.

"You want to lookout for dehydration, malnutrition, a home that is not in a safe environment for a person to live in, cloths with urine stains on it"

In addition, Cox says you should pay attention to changes in your loved ones financial habits and overall you should just be present and visit them on a regular bases. Advice Bryant says she takes.

“If the family doesn’t go visit their loved ones then they think they’ve been abandoned, and the nursing home workers don’t do the necessary steps that they’re supposed to do in providing care for that individual."

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Report: Hundreds charged for elder abuse in 2016

I-Team: Family court judge could face disciplinary action

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LAS VEGAS - Clark County Family Court Judge Rena Hughes could face disciplinary action. The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline filed a formal statement of charges on Oct. 10.

Two counts stem from a court hearing that occurred last June. The I-Team obtained video from the hearing and reported on an interaction between Judge Hughes and a 12-year-old girl last November.

The child's parents were in a custody battle. Judge Hughes had ordered the mother of the child to bring her daughter to court. According to the formal statement of charges, Hughes ordered everyone to leave the courtroom except for the child and addressed the child alone with no parents or advocates present for nine minutes. Judge Hughes made the decision the child would go home with her father, instead of her mother.

Here is an excerpt from the video:

Girl: "Please no.... (crying). I want to be with my mama. Please. I don't want to be with him."
Judge Hughes: "I've made my decision. I've already told you that."

Girl: "I beg of you."

Judge Hughes: "You don't need to beg. I've made the decision for your best interest."

Girl: "How do you know my best interest? You don't know me."

Judge Hughes: Because I told you. "I'm a grown-up, and you're a child."

Girl: "Please, please, please, please, please."

Judge Hughes also threatened to lock up the child if she did not comply. The I-Team is not identifying the child.

Here's another excerpt from the hearing:

Judge Hughes: "If you have any difficulties, _______will go to Child Haven. It's not fun in Child Haven. In fact, they put you in a holding cell, just like it would be jail."

Child: "Can I please see my mama?"

Judge Hughes: "You already saw her."

Child: "You don't understand. I love her, and I'm gonna miss her. Please don't do this to me."

Judge Hughes is accused of abusing her power, breaking the law, and failing to be patient, dignified, and courteous to the child and her mother, along with also not giving them a chance to be heard.

The I-Team reached out to Judge Hughes for a comment.

"Her attorney, Bill Terry, said they intend to deny all of the allegations and proceed to a hearing."

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I-Team: Family court judge could face disciplinary action