Atlanta, GA
New victim of alleged pill theft at metro Atlanta senior living facility speaks out
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Melanie Spiller recently celebrated her mother Martha’s 101th birthday at the Oaks at Suwanee Creek, where she has been living for the past three years.
“She is still mentally with it,” Spiller said. “I know she doesn’t have forever. I realize her days are limited, but I would like them to be happier.”
Spiller said she just learned that her mother’s former nurse is accused of stealing prescription medication from her and other residents.
“Very betrayed. And they feel betrayed, the residents do,” Spiller said.
The Suwanee Police Department launched an investigation and arrested Terri Howell, a nurse at the facility, and charged her with multiple counts of cruelty and obtaining a controlled substance by deception.
Nurse charged with stealing prescription pills from seniors
According to a police press release, Martha had 48 opioid pain pills stolen. A former employee who did not want to be identified is also speaking out.
“It’s a God calling for me. And I would still be in it, other than I could no longer tolerate things I was seeing in the industry. It broke my heart to see what was happening to our seniors,” the former Oaks at Suwanee Creek employee said.
Atlanta News First contacted the corporate office for the Oaks at Suwanee Creek, and they said upon learning of the incident, they immediately placed the nurse on administrative leave and then fired her.
They went on to say they are deeply concerned by the allegations, and that the well-being and safety of their residents is their utmost priority.
“We have stringent protocols and training programs in place to safeguard our residents, and we will be reinforcing these measures in light of this event,” a spokesperson for Oaks at Suwanee Creek said in a statement.
“The level of betrayal for the residents for the aides, for the family, I mean we are just blown away. I never suspected that with Terri,” Spiller said.
Atlanta News First tried calling and texting the nurse for comment, to no avail. Police said the investigation rolls on.
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ATLANTA – A Southwest Airlines flight traveling from Nashville to Fort Lauderdale was diverted to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Friday night following a reported security threat that resulted in a passenger being removed from the plane by police.
Southwest flight diverts to Atlanta
What we know:
Southwest Airlines Flight 2094 landed safely in Atlanta at approximately 9:06 p.m. after diverting from its original path to Florida. According to a statement from Southwest Airlines, the aircraft was diverted to respond to a “possible security matter.”
The airline confirmed that a specific passenger was removed from the flight by the Atlanta Police Department.
What they’re saying:
Southwest Airlines emphasized their commitment to safety following the disruption.
“Southwest Airlines Flight 2094 landed safely at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Friday evening after diverting to respond to a possible security matter,” a Southwest spokesperson said. “We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew and apologize to our Customers for the delay. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees.”
What we don’t know:
It remains unclear exactly what the “passenger in question” did or said to trigger the security response.
Officials have not confirmed if any dangerous items were actually found on the aircraft.
Additionally, the current status of the detained passenger and whether they face charges has not yet been released by the Atlanta Police Department.
The Source: Information provided by Southwest Airlines, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Communications Division, and FlightAware.com.
Atlanta police and public works crews have begun closing a prominent homeless encampment near Grady Memorial Hospital as part of a multi-year “Downtown Rising” initiative to transition residents into permanent housing.
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