Nurse Admits To Overmedicating 90-year-old Patient At Westchester Nursing Home

Attorney General Spitzer today announced that Marlene Watson, a licensed practical nurse at the Sarah Neuman Nursing Home in Mamaroneck, has admitted to giving an elderly male patient twice the amount of Xanax, a controlled substance, as prescribed by his physician. The incident occurred last May.

Appearing today in Mamaroneck Village Court before Judge Richard E. Lanza, Watson pleaded guilty as charged to Wilful Violation of Health Laws. She was immediately sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge.

"We have no tolerance for those who do not provide appropriate care to our most vulnerable citizens," said Spitzer. "This conviction sends a clear message to all health care workers that my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will aggressively prosecute those who mistreat patients entrusted to their care."

Spitzer noted that the 90-year-old patient was not adversely affected by the overdose.

The Attorney General thanked the State Health Department for referring the case to his office. He also thanked the staff and administration of the nursing home for their assistance throughout the investigation.

Watson, 29, lives at 925 East 219th Street in the Bronx. She worked at the facility, located at 845 Palmer Avenue in Mamaroneck, for approximately five months.

Special Assistant Attorney General Alan Bly, of the Pearl River Regional Office of the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, prosecuted the case. All cases are handled under the direct supervision of Deputy Attorney General Jos? Maldonado.