Nurse Sentenced for Tampering with Controlled Substances
A former nurse from New York has been sentenced to five months in prison for tampering with controlled substances at a surgical clinic in Connecticut. According to federal authorities, Kristen Carotenuto, 35, of Pelham, New York, engaged in unlawful activities involving hydromorphone and fentanyl while working at an outpatient surgical center in Stamford.
The sentencing took place under the jurisdiction of U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford. In addition to her prison term, Carotenuto received three years of supervised release and was fined $5,000. She pleaded guilty to tampering with a consumer product, which raised serious concerns about patient safety.
As part of her responsibilities at the surgical center, Carotenuto had access to a secure area designated for storing controlled substances. In December 2024, she removed several vials containing hydromorphone and fentanyl from this secure location. Reports indicate that she took these vials home, used a syringe to extract the drugs, and then returned the vials filled with saline or water to the clinic.
Authorities emphasized that there is no evidence suggesting any patients received the tampered medications. The investigation into Carotenuto’s actions was conducted by multiple agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.
Carotenuto is currently free on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to report to prison on October 1, 2024. Following the incident, she has surrendered her nursing license, reflecting the serious nature of her offenses and their implications for public health.
This case highlights the critical importance of safeguarding controlled substances in healthcare settings and the legal consequences of violations. Authorities continue to stress the need for vigilance to prevent similar incidents in the future.
