A licensed practical nurse at a Stickney convalescent home was arrested in connection with stealing drugs from the facility, according to officials.

A perceptive employee at Pershing Convalescent Home, 3900 S. Oak Park Ave., noticed a discrepancy in drug distribution and reported it to her supervisor, who then passed the information on to Stickney police.

Police said Theresa Rodgers, 44, of Chicago, who had authorization to order drugs, was placing the orders, intercepting the deliveries and keeping the drugs for herself.

Police said Rodgers was charged with four counts of Class 4 felony possession of a controlled substance and one count of theft. Rodgers faces three to six years imprisonment if convicted, according to officials.

Dr. Prakash Navni, administrator and owner of Pershing Convalescent Home, said Rodgers was a part-time employee who had no contract or specific schedule. He said she will not be returning to work at the convalescent home.

“It is very important to understand that although Ms. Rodgers misused her privilege, she was over-ordering or placing fictitious orders,” Navni said. “There was never a time that any patient was harmed or suffered because they did not receive their medication as a result of Ms. Rodgers’ actions.”

Navni said the facility has 46 patients. He said in response to the incident, he is implementing a procedure where he will now receive reports directly from the pharmacy that supplies the drugs as to what was ordered and delivered and compare that to the reports given to him by the nurse responsible for checking in the medications at the home.

“It is very unfortunate that this happened and very unlikely that it will ever happen again,” Navni said. 

Stickney Police Chief Gary Dunow emphasized the need to keep track of medications. 
“It is so important that families who have someone in any type of convalescent or assisted-living facility keep track of the care and medication they are receiving so that any suspicious actions are detected and tragedies averted,” Dunow said.