Faces felony charges involving medication
By Robert Cloud
A nurse at an assisted living facility is charged with first-degree reckless endangerment.
Roberta l. Janovetz, 50, Waupaca, also faces further felony charges of administering dangerous and stupefying drugs, placing foreign objects in edibles and delivery of prescription drugs.
According to the criminal complaint, Janovetz allegedly gave Lorezapam to a patient for whom it was not prescribed.
On April 11, staff at the Manawa Community Living Center called Manawa Police Chief Jason Severson and reported that Janovetz told another employee that she gave a patient Lorezapam when it was intended for another patient.
Lorezapam is used to control seizures and relieve anxiety. Its side effects include drowsiness and, in some cases, difficulty breathing.
The alleged victim was described as annoying at times because she would follow staff around,
The facility sent urine samples from the patient who was supposed to receive the medication and from the victim.
The sample from the victim tested positive for Lorezapam.
During her interview with Severson, Janovetz reportedly admitted that she told co-workers that she gave the victim Lorezapam, but she realized it was not a good idea and regretted what she said.
Janovetz denied giving unprescribed medications to any of the patients.
Another staff person told Severson that she saw Janovetz feeding applesauce to the victim with medication in it.
The witness said the victim was normally very active and would follow Janovetz around during her shift. But the victim remained sitting quietly in a chair until the witness left work.
Janovetz later told Severson that she destroyed the Lozerpam after it fell into a tray with other pills on her med cart, the complaint says.
The facility’s practice is to record the destruction of medications while two other nurses witness it.
Sorenson reported that he found no record of the pills being destroyed.
Janovetz was released from custody on a $2,000 signature bond.
She is scheduled for a court appearance on May 14.
She faces up to 12 1/2 years in prison if convicted of felony reckless endangerment.