Pennsylvania Nurse Faces New Charges for Alleged Insulin Poisoning of Patients
Nov 08, 2023, 11:00 AM
A Pennsylvania nurse, Heather Pressdee, already facing multiple felony charges for alleged harm to patients under her care, now finds herself confronted with dozens of new criminal charges. These charges accuse her of intentionally administering excessive doses of insulin to 22 patients between 2020 and her arrest in May 2023. The allegations extend beyond her initial accusations of killing two patients and attempting to kill a third while working at Quality Life Services in Chicora, a small town in the western part of the state.
In a recent press release, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry disclosed that Pressdee stands accused of poisoning an additional 19 patients, resulting in the alleged deaths of 17 of those patients while under her care. The charges assert that Pressdee administered substantial amounts of insulin, regardless of the patient's diabetic status. Some of these patients required insulin to manage diabetes, while others did not have diabetes at all.
"The allegations against Ms. Pressdee are disturbing," said Attorney General Henry in the press release. "It is hard to comprehend how a nurse, trusted to care for her patients, could choose to deliberately and systematically harm them. The damage done to the victims and their loved ones cannot be overstated. Every person in a medical or care facility should feel safe and cared for, and my office will work tirelessly to hold the defendant accountable for her crimes and protect care-dependent Pennsylvanians from future harm."
These alleged insulin poisoning incidents occurred while Pressdee worked as a registered nurse at several healthcare facilities, including Concordia at Rebecca Residence, Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation (Guardian), Quality Life Services Chicora, Premier Armstrong Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, and Sunnyview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Authorities believe Pressdee often administered excessive insulin doses during her overnight shifts, when staffing levels were lower, and the resulting medical emergencies were less likely to lead to immediate hospitalization.
Pressdee had previously claimed to have admitted to some of the incidents, stating that she "felt bad for their quality of life and had hoped that they would just slip into a coma and pass away," as per the initial criminal complaint. However, prosecutors dismissed this explanation.
Investigators uncovered Pressdee's history of disciplinary actions for abusive behavior toward patients and staff dating back to 2018. These incidents ultimately led to her being fired or resigning from various healthcare facilities.
The victims involved in this case ranged from 43 to 104 years old.
Pressdee had previously faced charges including two counts of homicide, one count of attempted murder, one count of aggravated assault, three counts of neglect of a care-dependent person, and three counts of reckless endangerment. The recent charges, announced on Thursday, include two counts of first-degree murder, 17 additional counts of attempted murder, and 19 additional counts of neglect of a care-dependent person.
The attorney general's office clarified that the charging decisions were based on the availability of "physical evidence" to support the cause of death. "Attempted murder is charged in the cases where the victims either survived the excessive dosage of insulin, or the cause of death could not be determined," the press release explained.
This case serves as a chilling reminder of the importance of vigilant oversight and accountability in healthcare settings to ensure the safety and well-being of patients.
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In a recent press release, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry disclosed that Pressdee stands accused of poisoning an additional 19 patients, resulting in the alleged deaths of 17 of those patients while under her care. The charges assert that Pressdee administered substantial amounts of insulin, regardless of the patient's diabetic status. Some of these patients required insulin to manage diabetes, while others did not have diabetes at all.
"The allegations against Ms. Pressdee are disturbing," said Attorney General Henry in the press release. "It is hard to comprehend how a nurse, trusted to care for her patients, could choose to deliberately and systematically harm them. The damage done to the victims and their loved ones cannot be overstated. Every person in a medical or care facility should feel safe and cared for, and my office will work tirelessly to hold the defendant accountable for her crimes and protect care-dependent Pennsylvanians from future harm."
These alleged insulin poisoning incidents occurred while Pressdee worked as a registered nurse at several healthcare facilities, including Concordia at Rebecca Residence, Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation (Guardian), Quality Life Services Chicora, Premier Armstrong Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, and Sunnyview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Authorities believe Pressdee often administered excessive insulin doses during her overnight shifts, when staffing levels were lower, and the resulting medical emergencies were less likely to lead to immediate hospitalization.
Pressdee had previously claimed to have admitted to some of the incidents, stating that she "felt bad for their quality of life and had hoped that they would just slip into a coma and pass away," as per the initial criminal complaint. However, prosecutors dismissed this explanation.
Investigators uncovered Pressdee's history of disciplinary actions for abusive behavior toward patients and staff dating back to 2018. These incidents ultimately led to her being fired or resigning from various healthcare facilities.
The victims involved in this case ranged from 43 to 104 years old.
Pressdee had previously faced charges including two counts of homicide, one count of attempted murder, one count of aggravated assault, three counts of neglect of a care-dependent person, and three counts of reckless endangerment. The recent charges, announced on Thursday, include two counts of first-degree murder, 17 additional counts of attempted murder, and 19 additional counts of neglect of a care-dependent person.
The attorney general's office clarified that the charging decisions were based on the availability of "physical evidence" to support the cause of death. "Attempted murder is charged in the cases where the victims either survived the excessive dosage of insulin, or the cause of death could not be determined," the press release explained.
This case serves as a chilling reminder of the importance of vigilant oversight and accountability in healthcare settings to ensure the safety and well-being of patients.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com