MOUNT CARMEL - Patricia Ann Maurer, of 155 Bear Hollow Road, Elysburg, was charged by patrolman Daniel J. Politza with theft, receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance.
On March 2, Daniel Yocum and his caregiver, Patricia Jones, reported missing medication, namely oxycontin and morphine. Initially, it was believed the veterans hospital had not given him the correct number of pills; however, Yocum suspected Maurer, who would arrive at his residence unannounced and let herself in through the side door, Yocum said. Maurer had been assigned by Sun Home Health and Hospice to see Yocum only a few times more than a year ago. She continued to show up at the residence, stating the two had become friends and she was just checking up on him.
After an appearance by Maurer on Feb. 26, Jones counted the pills and said more than 100 pills of morphine were missing. Yocum then installed a surveillance camera at his residence, and showed police footage of Maurer going into the closet where the medicine was kept on March 6. She was fired the same day.
On March 7, Maurer arrived at the police station for an interview and eventually admitted to stealing medication for her own back pain. While speaking with the officer, her husband knocked on the door and told Maurer to leave. She was hesitant, but left with her husband. A preliminary hearing will be held June 8 before Magisterial District Justice Hugh A. Jones in Mount Carmel.