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A Blair woman accused of stealing morphine from a Blair nursing home was arrested Sept. 15 on a warrant.
Abby M. Arnold, 35, is charged with intentionally violating the narcotic drug law, a Class IV felony. A warrant was issued for Arnold’s arrest Sept. 14. She is scheduled to be arraigned in Washington County Court on Oct. 18.
According to an affidavit, a Good Shepherd Lutheran Community employee reported Aug. 24 to Blair police that a bottle of morphine was missing from a medical cart at the nursing home.
Two caregivers, one of whom was identified as Arnold, conducted a narcotic count of the medicine cart Aug. 23. While they were counting medicines, Arnold told the other employee that one of the bottles of morphine was expired and she should take it home. She then laughed. Arnold’s co-worker believed she was joking.
The next day, two other caregivers noted a bottle was missing. That same day, Arnold, who was scheduled to work, quit her job. She didn’t give an explanation.
At least two co-workers suspected Arnold of stealing the drug. One co-worker told police Arnold allegedly failed a random drug test. Arnold also allegedly told her that her husband was using prescription drugs that were obtained illegally.
During an interview with investigators, Arnold admitted to taking the bottle of morphine. She told the officers she took the morphine to give to her husband. She said she burned the box and the label and gave the bottle to her husband, who used it. He allegedly threw the bottle away.
Arnold explained she quit her job because she regretted taking the medication.