Friends Of Nurse Accused Of Stealing Painkillers Say Charges 'Ruined Her Life'
SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - A nurse accused of stealing pain killers while on the job was back in court on Wednesday.
Kimberly Jeanne Burgans, 47, worked at St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco. CBS4 first learned about her arrest in March and she has since been out of jail on bond.
Burgans did not want to talk with a CBS4 crew as she left court, but her friends say the charges have "ruined her life."
Burgans faces a two felonies along with a misdemeanor charge in the case. Authorities say she "misappropriated" doses of the injectable form of the painkiller fentanyl that was supposed to be for patients she was caring for while working at the Frisco hospital.
According to the arrest affidavit obtained by CBS4, Burgans tested positive for fentanyl, which she didn't have a prescription for.
Burgans was a registered nurse in Colorado for two years and was fired on Jan. 28.
"There are three charges on this -- two are felony, one is a misdemeanor. There are two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or deceit under the new drug felony setup," said John Franks, 5th District Deputy District Attorney.
The district attorney's office in a prepared statement said the rise in similar cases allegedly involving medical professionals is a major concern nationwide.
Burgans will be back before a judge May 25.