Oregon ICU nurse arrested, charged with replacing 44 patients fentanyl with tap water 'for her own use,' causing serious infections

MEDFORD, OR - Police in Medford announced on Thursday that a former nurse at the Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center Intensive Care Unit was arrested under allegations she switched the patient's pain medication with tap water.

As reported by NBC News, the Medford Police Department (MPD) confirmed in a statement that the suspect, Dani Mari Schofield is being brought up on charges of 44 counts of assault in the second degree, a number that authorities said "reflect the total amount of patients that this investigation revealed to have been affected by Schofield’s criminal actions."

The department clarified that "a person commits Assault in the 2nd Degree if the person intentionally or knowingly causes serious physical injury to another," CBS reported. 

In a press release posted to Facebook, MPD explained the lengthy investigation which began with a series of unusual infections in Asante Rogue's patients. The post said, "This seven-month-long police investigation began after Asante officials contacted MPD in early December 2023.

"Asante had become concerned with a rising number of central line infection cases in patients while in their care. After an internal investigation, including consultation with outside medical experts, Asante provided MPD with information that all of the identified cases were isolated to patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and occurred within a specific date range. Based on records and interviews, investigators were able to determine that ICU nurse Schofield had access to each of these victims.

"There was concern that Schofield had been diverting patients’ liquid fentanyl for her personal use and then replacing it with tap water, causing serious infections."

The indictment against Schofield was brought after over 100 people were interviewed by police including doctors, nurses, patients, and several of the victims. The case was reportedly referred to the Jackson County District Attorney's review given its severity and impact and the DA convened a Grand Jury. The indictment came down Thursday.

CBS News reported that Schofield, who was contacted early in the investigation, agreed to a voluntary suspension in November pending the investigation results. In February she was also named in a wrongful death lawsuit alleging she stole fentanyl from a 65-year-old patient's medication drip while he was hospitalized, leading to his death.

Police officials told reporters that medical experts consulted for the case stated the questionable deaths that have been associated with Schofield's allegations couldn't be attributed directly to central line infections.
 

Police Chief Justin Ivens explained at a press conference that “the infections these patients suffered from could not be determined to be the cause of death,” only that Schofield’s actions, specifically, had “caused physical injury to patients who were under her control and care,” according to Ashland.news.

“I’m not going to get into her personal life, but obviously, you know, I don’t believe that Ms. Schofield probably went into the medical field initially, to do this by any means,” Ivens added. “So, you know, make your own conclusions based on that. I think, at some point in her job, she lost purpose in what she was doing, and (it) led to this, which is truly tragic.”

"MPD recognizes that there has been substantial public interest surrounding this case," the department said. "Our hearts go out to the victims and their families who have been impacted by this case."