Florida nurse pleads guilty to replacing fentanyl with saline

A Florida nurse has pleaded guilty to replacing fentanyl with saline in nearly 450 vials.

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Catherine Dunton, 54, was a nurse at an outpatient surgical center in Jensen Beach, Fla., according to an April 13 Department of Justice release.

Between February 28 and April 18, 2022, Ms. Dunton took self-administered injections of fentanyl and replaced the missing medication with saline. Nearly 450 vials were tampered with, according to the report, and returned to the center for use during outpatient surgical procedures.

Ms. Dunton faces up to 19 years in prison, followed by up to three years in supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. She will be sentenced June 27.

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