Nurse accused of stealing narcotic from hospital

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Wisconsin woman is accused of stealing a narcotic from the Twin Cities hospital where she worked as a nurse.

     

Forty-five-year-old Della Rae Thalin of New Richmond, Wis., was charged Monday in federal court.

     

Thalin is charged with one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.

 

Prosecutors allege that between Feb. 25 and March 19 of this year, Thalin obtained the painkiller hydromorphone by accessing drug storage cabinets using her unique user identification and password. She then allegedly removed the drug from the hospital for her personal use.

 

Thalin's attorney, Eric Thole of Stillwater, says his client is sorry and plans on taking responsibility. Thole says no patients were harmed.