By Sophia Voravong
Journal and Courier (West Lafayette, Ind)
Copyright 2007 The Journal and Courier
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. — A paramedic with Tippecanoe County Ambulance Service is accused of stealing medication from supply units at both Home Hospital and St. Elizabeth Medical Center.
Charges were filed today against Gretchen J. Winger, 27, of Clarks Hill in Tippecanoe Circuit Court for theft, possession of a controlled substance and four counts of possession of a narcotic drug.
The charges stem from an investigation that began on May 23. Police suspect that Winger used her access code to steal morphine and diazepam syringes from locked bins and drawers on four occasions that month.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed with the charges, Winger told Detective Dan Shumaker of the Lafayette Police Department that someone in early May had taken her pocket notebook, which contained her unique access codes.
But Winger’s employers told police that she never reported the incident, nor did she change her password as employees are advised.
The medication system used at Home Hospital and St. Elizabeth Medical Center records anytime a bin or drawer is accessed. It also records the user.
Logs showed that Winger’s access code was used to obtain medication reportedly issued to patients, but doctors’ orders could not be found.
Investigators also found instances in which Winger’s code was used but no record was made that medication was removed. However, medication was later found to be missing.
“I think this was a very timely and thorough investigation given the people who had to be interviewed,” said Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Pat Harrington.
He noted that during the investigation, Winger was arrested in July for calling in a false prescription to a Lafayette pharmacy.
She also was charged today in Tippecanoe Superior Court 1 with two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or deceit and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed with those charges, Winger is accused of pretending to be an employee at an actual doctor’s office to call in a prescription for hydrocodone tablets.
Attempts to reach Scott Wood, director of the county’s ambulance service, were not successful Friday for information on Winger’s employment status.