Local

CCSO: Nurse fired after stealing $1,400 in pills Life Care Center

The local nurse accused of stealing pills from the nursing home where she worked has been fired.

Lisa Vanallen, 39, is accused of stealing 104 Oxycodone and Hydrocodone tablets from the Life Care Center.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said the medicine is valued at more than $1,400.

The Florida Department of Health said despite the arrest, Vanallen’s license is still clear and active, with no public complaints

FDOH said when this happens, they begin their own investigation and monitor for a conviction.

Deputies said Vanallen had been working at the center since May 2017, until her colleagues noticed questionable activity and reported it.

One woman who said she didn’t want to be identified, said she trusted Vanallen to care for her mother.

“It’s a shock to know that she did that,” the woman said. “I asked about her, where she’d been and they said it was too far to drive so she quit.”

According to the report, Vanallen missed work for a month last year after being injured in a shooting.

Deputies said she’d log that her patients had been given the pills, but instead, she’d ingest them or hide them for herself.

Action News Jax got Vanallen on the phone Thursday, but she didn’t want to comment.

The Life Care Center’s executive director said this was discovered in April during standard medication checks, and immediately reported to the police.

He said employees undergo a background check and quarterly reviews of license status, which exceeds state requirements.