A self-appointed “angel of death” faces Marty Himebaugh faces four counts of criminal neglect of a long-term care facility resident and single counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, according to the Daily Herald.com in suburban Chicago.
Marty M. Himebaugh a former nurse at the 115-bed Woodstock Residence nursing home, was arrested after a 15-month investigation by Illinois State Police after it was tipped by a former Woodstock employee.
Himebaugh allegedly received permission to administer lethal doses of morphine and other painkiller drugs from her boss, who gave the go-ahead to serve as an "angel of death," according to a McHenry County (Il.) grand jury. The supervisor, Penny Whitlock, faces multiple felony charges. Indictments specify the two are charged with “jeopardizing patients' lives.” Prosecutors have not charged either defendant with murder.
The indictment against Himebaugh specifies she gave four residents morphine without a prescription or in excessive doses of the prescription. Court documents state that in one instance, Himebaugh gave morphine to a woman who unresponsive. In another case, Himebaugh is alleged to have administered morphine to a man who later became unconscious.
Four patients who received non-prescribed morphine from Himebaugh died. Authorities did not specify the deaths were a direct result of the drug. "We are not alleging (Himebaugh) caused the death, but are alleging she did administer unlawful dosages of morphine," said Nichole Owens, criminal chief for the McHenry County state's attorney's office.
Himebaugh’s attorney denied the grand jury’s allegations. "They are absolutely ridiculous," Sam Amirante said. "Marty Himebaugh conducted herself as a professional and I'm confident she will be exonerated," the Daily Herald reported.
Whitlock, the former director of nursing at Woodstock, is charged with five counts of criminal neglect of a long-term care facility resident and two counts of obstructing justice. Her indictment says she approved "Marty Himebaugh playing “Angel of Death” at the facility. The supervisor also is accused of assisting in the destruction of evidence that would have exonerated Himebaugh.
McHenry County State's Attorney Louis Bianchi did not address the “mercy killing” issue. The grand jury indictment also did not address the codefendants' motives or intents. "I can tell you we brought charges we can prove," Bianchi said. He does not expect further charges.
Charges against Himebaugh and Whitlock are felonies and punishable by a maximum of three years in prison.
Contact Us Today
Klemick & Gampel
1953 S.W. 27th Avenue
Miami, FL 33145
Phone: (305) 856-4577
Fax: (305) 859-9708
