(WNY News Now) – PA Attorney General Michelle Henry has unveiled additional charges against Heather Pressdee, a nurse in western Pennsylvania, who is now accused of administering deadly doses of insulin to numerous patients in her care. This comes after Pressdee was previously charged in May with homicide and attempted murder for mistreating three patients.
PA – Attorney General Michelle Henry has announced that Heather Pressdee, a 41-year-old nurse from western Pennsylvania, faces new charges for allegedly administering lethal doses of insulin to patients in her care. This development follows Pressdee’s earlier charges in May, where she was accused of mistreating three patients. The latest charges pertain to the alleged mistreatment of 19 additional patients at five different care facilities between 2020 and this year.
Pressdee stands accused of administering excessive amounts of insulin to patients, irrespective of their medical conditions. Tragically, seventeen patients cared for by Pressdee lost their lives as a result of her actions.
Pressdee was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, 17 counts of attempted murder, and 19 counts of neglect of a care-dependent person. She was arraigned by the Honorable Maura Palumbi, the judge handling the charges filed in May. Pressdee waived her preliminary hearing and is currently in custody at Butler County Prison without bail.
Attorney General Henry expressed her dismay at the allegations, stating, “The allegations against Ms. Pressdee are disturbing. It is hard to comprehend how a nurse, trusted to care for her patients, could choose to deliberately and systematically harm them. The damage done to the victims and their loved ones cannot be overstated. Every person in a medical or care facility should feel safe and cared for, and my office will work tirelessly to hold the defendant accountable for her crimes and protect care-dependent Pennsylvanians from future harm.”
Pressdee’s alleged crimes occurred during her employment as a registered nurse at various facilities, including Concordia at Rebecca Residence, Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation (Guardian), Quality Life Services Chicora, Premier Armstrong Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, and Sunnyview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
It is worth noting that Pressdee typically administered insulin during overnight shifts, capitalizing on low staffing levels and the reduced likelihood of immediate hospitalization.
The victims affected by Pressdee’s actions ranged in age from 43 to 104, representing a broad spectrum of the population.
In total, Pressdee faces charges relating to her mistreatment of 22 patients. The charges range from first-degree murder in cases where there is physical evidence supporting the cause of death, to attempted murder in cases where victims either survived excessive insulin doses or the cause of death could not be definitively determined.
Individuals with information about these incidents or Heather Pressdee are encouraged to contact the Office of Attorney General’s tipline at 888-538-8541.
It’s essential to remember that all charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The investigation is being conducted by the Office of Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Section and Bureau of Narcotics Investigation. Senior Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Baxter, Senior Deputy Attorney General Kee Song, and Deputy Attorney General Peter Caravello are responsible for prosecuting the case.
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