Nurse In Federal Custody, Accused Of Stealing Painkillers From Patients

AURORA, Colo. (CBS4)- A former University of Colorado Hospital nurse was taken into federal custody on Thursday, accused of stealing vials of a potent painkiller and replacing them with other substances to cover it up.

Kacye Unruh was arrested at her home in Aurora after she was indicted on charges including tampering with a consumer product, deceitfully obtaining a controlled substance and making false statements.

Unruh, 30, allegedly stole the power painkillers fentanyl and hydromorphine while working at UCH's dialysis unit.

Documents with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Denver state that she refilled the vials with saline solution and other fluids and was caught trying to glue the caps back on.

UCH said Unruh was fired when a discrepancy was found in the dialysis unit.

Federal prosecutors have charged Unruh with abusing six patient prescriptions from June 29 to July 12. On Aug. 4 the Colorado Board of Nursing suspended her license.

UCH told CBS Denver no patients were harmed. However, out of "an abundance of caution" nearly 50 patients have been tested for hepatitis C. No transmission has reportedly occurred.

It was not the first time Unruh has been accused of the crime. Her husband told CBS4 she had been fired from a hospital in Oklahoma. In the court documents, prosecutors say Unruh lied to Oklahoma authorities about stealing fentanyl and replacing the drug with Benadryl or water.

UCH said that Unruh passed a background check and that no negative strikes appeared on her record at the time she was hired.