Hospice nurse sentenced in Ross County for tampering with evidence after patient’s death

The Highland County Press

A home hospice nurse who disposed of blood-soaked sheets and towels after a patient’s accidental death was sentenced Friday for tampering with evidence.

Judge Michael Ater of the Ross County Court of Common Pleas sentenced Karen Montgomery to 60 days in jail and five years of probation. A jury found her guilty of the third-degree felony charge on Feb. 15 following a two-day trial.

On April 25, 2017, Montgomery accidentally severed a patient’s central catheter line while attempting to remove medical dressings with scissors. Video evidence from the camera in the home shows her actions following the cutting of the line and the subsequent passing of the patient.

Attorney General Dave Yost’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit assisted the Ross County Coroner’s Office and Sheriff’s Office during their investigation. 

“This is a tough case to prosecute, but people need to be held accountable,” Yost said. “Hats off to Ross County Prosecutor Jeffrey Marks and his office for doing their duty to reach a just result.”

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