FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. — A healthcare professional is facing dozens of felony charges after police say she stole hundreds of pills from elderly patients at an assisted living facility.
The list of charges 37-year-old Stacey Lowery faces is long and ranges from neglect of the elderly to drug possession to theft by taking. Floyd County Police investigators say the longtime employee of the Renaissance Marquis assisted living facility stole hundreds of hydrocodone pills from four residents in their 80's and 90's. Investigator Misty Garrett told Channel 2’s Liz Artz Lowery had worked at the facility for 10 years.
“How long do you think this was going on? There is no telling,” said Garrett.
Garrett said Lowery was signing the pain pills in from the pharmacy, but never delivering to the residents. Director Jerry Justice said at no time were residents without their medication.
“They’re well cared for they're safe and this situation has been resolved and we don't expect to have a repeat of it going forward." said Jerry Justice.
Investigator Garrett's investigation is on-going, she told Artz they have not found the pills and suspect lowery was selling them on the street.
"We're still looking at more possession charges," said Garrett.
Jerry Justice has only been with the facility two months, but said this incident has prompted major changes in the way pills are logged in at Renaissance Marquis.
“We are improving things and don't want to give away too much of that,” said Jerry Justice.
“But you are changing things?” Artz asked.
“Absolutely we are making improvements," Justice said.
Justice said residents are still stunned by the arrest, many of them knew Lowery for a decade.
“They’re concerned about her um and it's kind of a sad day,” Justice said.
Justice said the facility was holding a meeting Wednesday night to inform all of the resident’s families of the arrest and to answer any questions they may have. Police expect Lowery to face even more charges.