Former nursing services director guilty of stealing meds

WILLMAR - The former nursing services director of Willmar Care Center, which closed last year, was convicted of felony third-degree drug possession Wednesday in Kandiyohi County District Court.
Kelly Christine Silas, 37, of Topeka, Kansas, was sentenced to 20 years of probation with conditions including writing a letter of apology to patients and staff of the former Willmar Care Center, paying a $1,500 fine, serving 60 days with an in-home electronic alcohol monitoring system, completing chemical dependency evaluation and treatment and attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. She was also ordered to provide a list of all prescription medications to her probation officer and, using only one pharmacy and using the medications only as directed.
Silas received a stay of imposition. Under the stay, if she complies with all terms of her probation, her felony conviction will be reduced to a misdemeanor on her record.
The charges stemmed from the theft and usage of prescriptions at the former Willmar Care Center.
According to the complaint, Willmar Care Center and Deseret Health Group officials reported the theft of narcotics to the Willmar Police Department in November 2012.
Officials from the Department of Health conducted a state compliance survey, which included a review of how the care facility is meeting regulations on drug safety and administration.
Officials found Fentanyl transdermal patches in Silas’ desk drawer in mostly empty boxes of the Schedule II pain medication. Silas had allegedly admitted to the administrator of the nursing home that she had taken the patches.
A search of Silas’ office revealed other medications and packaging for medications, such as patches, tablets and oral solutions. A review of the facility’s records showed that the medications were documented to specific patients.
The medications included liquid morphine, anti-anxiety medication, sleeping pills, pain relievers and Fentanyl patches, for a total of between 154 and 194 doses of medication.