A Jefferson County nurse has been slapped with charges for allegedly swiping medication from a patient she was hired to care for, authorities say. Sally Hensley, 47, is accused of nicking about 15 hydrocodone pills — a powerful painkiller — from a vulnerable patient under her watch, according to a report from WBIR. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has charged Hensley with theft, burglary, and neglect of an elderly or vulnerable adult.

Following a homeowner's report of being short on her medication, deputies were dispatched to a home on Wednesday. The victim had suspected something fishy for a while and after a heart-to-heart with her pharmacy, decided to install surveillance cameras inside her residence. These cameras were trained on the area where she stashed her meds. After reviewing the camera footage, the family allegedly saw Hensley in the act of stealing the pills, WVLT reported.

Upon Hensley's arrest, the sheriff's department expressed concern that this may not be a one-off situation. "The sheriff’s office encourages any patient that has similar circumstances with this nurse to contact Det./Sgt. Jonathan Owens," appealed JCSO, as per WATE. Owens can be reached at 866-397-9411 ext 1106 for those who may have additional information or similar complaints against Hensley.

The incident has raised alarms about the safety and trustworthiness of in-home healthcare providers. Hensley's actions, if proven true, personify a breach of the sacred trust placed in those entrusted to care for the ailing and the weak. Victims of similar thefts by healthcare workers are urged to report such abuses to authorities, ensuring that those who violate this trust are held accountable.