Nursing Home Director Charged with Neglect in Overdoses

The director of a nursing home in Chicago has been charged with criminal neglect and obstruction of justice for allegedly failing to take action after discovering an employee was overdosing patients with morphine, prosecutors say.

Director Penny Whitlock, 62, is facing criminal prosecution in connection with an investigation of six deaths at the Woodstock Residence nursing facility in 2006.

The investigation revealed that nurse Marty Himebaugh, 62, was allegedly administering overdoses of morphine and other medication to patients at the home.

Whitlock did nothing to stop the overdoses, investigators said.

Himebaugh is currently awaiting trial on charges of criminal neglect and improper dispensation of morphine.

Prosecutors believe the pair’s actions were intended to control the behavior troublesome patients.