INDIANOLA, Iowa (ICD) – After being convicted last year of 10 felonies including theft and dependent adult abuse, a central Iowa nurse is facing sanctions from the state’s Board of Nursing.

Registered nurse Holly Renee Carlson of Indianola is charged by the board with being convicted of a criminal offense that directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the nursing profession, and failure to notify the board of a criminal conviction within 30 days. A hearing on the charges is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2026.

Court records indicate that in December 2025, a Warren County jury found Carlson guilty of one count of ongoing criminal conduct, six counts of first-degree theft against an older individual, one count of second-degree theft against an older individual, and two counts of dependent adult abuse.

According to prosecutors’ court filings, The Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Indianola Police Department launched an investigation into Carlson in 2024.

Prosecutors alleged Carlson financially exploited her parents while also working as a “legal nurse consultant and case manager” for her own company, Carlson & Associates. Prior to 2019, prosecutors said, she had worked as a case manager for the Des Moines office of the Veterans Administration.

According to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Carlson was granted power of attorney over the affairs of her mother and father in 2016. In 2019, her father entered Vintage Hills, an Indianola senior living facility, due to issues with dementia.

In December of that year, Carlson allegedly submitted a change-of-beneficiary form to John Hancock Insurance, switching the beneficiary of her mother’s life insurance policy from her father to herself. When her mother passed away a few weeks later, Carlson submitted a claim for her mother’s life insurance and was paid $251,027.70, prosecutors alleged.

According to MFCU investigators, Carlson also transferred the family farm, and all of its land, out of her mother’s name, preventing Vintage Hills from placing a lien on the property to collect money owed from the mother’s stay at the facility, and deposited loan proceeds into her own bank account rather than using the money to improve the farm.

Investigators also alleged Carlson regularly withdrew money from her father’s bank account, and also sold two of his vehicles, without paying the bills for his care at Vintage Hills. “ln the end, after reviewing all of the bank records and various other records, it was determined that Carlson had financially exploited (her parents) for $456,829.09,” a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigator told prosecutors in a sworn affidavit.

Court records show that after her conviction, Carlson was sentenced to three years of probation tied to a 25-year suspended prison sentence.

Carlson referred the Iowa Capital Dispatch to her attorney, Trent Nelson, who declined to comment other than to say the criminal convictions are being appealed and the allegations against Carlson had nothing to do with her practice as a nurse.

Other Iowa-licensed nurses facing charges recently disclosed by the board include:

— Susan Louise Peden of Bondurant, an advanced registered nurse practitioner who is charged by the board with professional incompetence including a lack of knowledge, skill or ability to discharge her professional obligations; deviation from the standards of learning, education, or skill ordinarily possessed by a nurse; committing acts that might adversely affect a patient’s welfare; prescribing or distributing drugs in an unsafe manner, and prescribing or distributing drugs without assessing or evaluating the patient. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2026.

According to the board, Peden, also known as Susan Louise Deo, has been an advanced registered nurse practitioner since May 2018. State records indicate the investigation into her conduct was initiated in 2024, the same year Peden founded Bondurant Dermatology.

Iowa Capital Dispatch was unable to reach Peden for comment.

— Nicolette Rae Lovitt of Coon Rapids, a registered nurse who is charged by the board with deviating from the standards of learning, education or skill ordinarily possessed by nurses; engaging in behavior that constitutes unethical conduct or practice harmful to the profession; and engaging in unethical conduct or practice harmful or detrimental to the public by violating professional boundaries. A hearing on the charges is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2026.

Iowa Capital Dispatch was unable to reach Lovitt for comment.

— Jaci M. Moore of Preston, a licensed practical nurse who is charged by the board with misappropriating or attempting to misappropriate medications or supplies of a patient or clinic; committing an act that might adversely affect a patient’s welfare; and failing to assess or evaluate a patient or client. A hearing on the charges is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2026.

Iowa Capital Dispatch was unable to reach Moore for comment.

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

High temperatures over the Fourth of July weekend might have you looking to take a dip in one of Iowa’s lakes. But, you’ll want to be sure the water is safe for swimming before getting into the water.

A total of 11 state beaches are not recommended for swimming ahead of the holiday, up from 10 beaches last week.

More: Your city-by-city guide to fireworks in the Des Moines metro

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources provides weekly updates on which state beaches are experiencing high levels of E. coli or algae that can be dangerous to swimmers. You can check the latest reports on the DNR website or by calling (515) 725-3434.

The DNR collects weekly samples at 41 state-owned swimming beaches to determine the public’s risk of coming in contact with waterborne diseases. Testing starts a week before Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day.

What Iowa DNR beaches are not recommended for swimming?

IOWA – Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) today marked the one-year anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cuts becoming law, highlighting the real savings and tax relief the legislation has delivered for Iowa families, workers, farmers, seniors, and small businesses.

Signed into law one year ago, the Working Families Tax Cuts have lowered taxes, increased take-home pay, and helped hardworking Americans keep more of what they earn.

“One year later, the Working Families Tax Cuts are delivering exactly what they promised: lower taxes, bigger paychecks, stronger family budgets, and real savings for hardworking Americans,” said Congresswoman Miller-Meeks. “Whether it is tax relief for seniors, workers earning overtime, families raising children, or farmers passing their operations on to the next generation, these policies are making a real difference. I will continue fighting for policies that put Iowans first.”

Background

One year after becoming law, the Working Families Tax Cuts continue to provide meaningful relief for millions of Americans through provisions including No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, tax relief for seniors, permanent protections for family farms, incentives to strengthen American manufacturing, and new $1,000 Baby Investment Accounts for eligible newborns.

Since enactment, the Working Families Tax Cuts have delivered:

• Tax refunds increased by 11%, putting more money back into the pockets of hardworking Americans.     
• No Tax on Tips: More than 7.5 million Americans have claimed the deduction, with an average tax benefit of over $7,000. By allowing workers to deduct up to $25,000 in qualified tip income, servers, bartenders, hospitality workers, and others who rely on tips are keeping more of what they earn.
• No Tax on Overtime: More than 29 million Americans have claimed the deduction, saving an average of over $3,100. This provision helps police officers, firefighters, nurses, EMTs, corrections officers, and countless other workers keep more of their overtime pay.
• Social Security Tax Deduction: More than 35 million seniors have claimed the new deduction, receiving an average tax benefit of over $7,500. Eligible seniors can claim a $6,000 deduction, while married couples can receive up to $12,000, helping them afford everyday necessities and enjoy greater peace of mind after a lifetime of hard work.
• Enhanced Child Tax Credit: Nearly 40 million families have claimed the expanded $2,200 Child Tax Credit, helping parents cover the costs of raising children and providing additional financial stability.
• Doubled Standard Deduction: The law preserves the doubled standard deduction, benefiting over 90% of taxpayers and allowing families to keep more of their hard-earned income.

• Protection for Family Farms: Delivered permanent relief from the ‘Death Tax’ and helps protect family farms ensuring there farms are passed down to kids and grandkids not sold to pay the IRS. 

• No Tax on Car Loan Interest: Allows eligible Americans to deduct interest on qualifying loans for new American-made vehicles.

• Small Business Tax Deduction: Makes the 20% small business deduction permanent, giving Main Street businesses the certainty they need to invest, hire, and grow.

• $1,000 Baby Investment Accounts: Provides eligible newborns with a $1,000 investment account, helping families begin building long-term financial security from the start of their child’s life.

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