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A Council Bluffs nurse who formerly worked at Bethany Lutheran Home pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing thousands of painkillers from those in her care.

Laurine Wilhite, 50, was convicted of dependant adult abuse and attempting to procure prescription drugs.

According to Council Bluffs police, Wilhite stole 9,727 narcotic hydrocodone pills from 44 different residents at Bethany Home.

Wilhite was arrested July 11.

The estimated value of the pills was more than $6,000.

Reports stated Wilhite ordered the medications for residents and then stole them when they were delivered by the pharmacy, but before they were logged in as received by the facility.

Mike Van Sickle, chief operating officer and administrator at Bethany, said in a previous interview Wilhite was a nurse at the facility but no longer worked there.

On Thursday, Wilhite received a deferred judgement and probation for two years.