# Maryland nurse morphine theft conviction

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/maryland-nurse-morphine-theft-conviction
> Updated: 2026-09-17T15:00:53.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

A registered nurse, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Chalmers, was sentenced to one year of incarceration, with all but 30 days suspended, and two years of supervised probation following a conviction for obtaining morphine by fraud. 

The incident occurred on June 25, 2025, at the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Baltimore. Prosecutors established that Chalmers diverted morphine intended for a 10-year-old patient recovering from open heart surgery. While she documented administering a dose, she allegedly claimed to have given a second dose without recording it in medical files, leading the child to report extreme pain. 

During the shift, colleagues observed signs of impairment and bruising consistent with intravenous drug use. Chalmers pleaded guilty on June 20, 2026, and is prohibited from caring for children during her probation.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-17: Maryland nurse sentenced for stealing morphine from pediatric patient

A Maryland nurse was sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years of probation after pleading guilty to stealing morphine from a 10-year-old patient recovering from heart surgery.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maryland-nurse-sentenced-for-stealing-morphine-from-pediatric-patient

### 2026-08-26: Nursing technician arrested for morphine theft in Federal District

A nursing technician in the Federal District was arrested for allegedly stealing and using morphine ampoules inside the São Sebastião Urgent Care Unit.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nursing-technician-arrested-for-morphine-theft-in-federal-district

### 2026-08-24: Nurse convicted of stealing morphine from Hospital Zonal

A nurse at Hospital Zonal, Marcelo Gustavo Villarruel, has been found guilty of stealing seven morphine ampoules from the hospital's security box between late 2024 and early 2025.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nurse-convicted-of-stealing-morphine-from-hospital-zonal

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Cite as: Maryland nurse morphine theft conviction. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/maryland-nurse-morphine-theft-conviction
