Wellstar nurse facing new charges after alleged theft of patient's jewelry
Nurse accused of stealing elderly patient's ring
A nurse accused of stealing jewelry from elderly patients went in front of a Fulton County judge. Stephanie Phillips-Siwiec faces multiple charges of theft and elder abuse. An arrest affidavit revealing she allegedly dislocated a patient’s finger to remove a ring. She’s also accused of selling similar jewelry to what was stolen on Facebook Marketplace.
ROSWELL, Ga. - A Wellstar employee who was accused of stealing from a patient is now facing new criminal charges in Fulton County.
Stephanie Phillips-Siwiec is now charged with three counts of abuse, neglect or exploitation of the elderly, three counts of robbery, and aggravated battery. She had been charged with three counts of theft by taking, two of which were felonies, earlier this week.
According to a Roswell police report, officers began an investigation after a patient’s daughter reported her mother had a gold chain link bracelet stolen from her wrist while receiving care at North Fulton Hospital on Sept. 28.
The woman said that her mother, who is 95 years old, was transported to the hospital by ambulance wearing the bracelet. However, after the patient was later transferred to a hospital room, the bracelet was missing.
The bracelet was valued at around $1,000.
In the police report, Phillips-Siwiec allegedly told police that she removed two rings from a patient's hand using hand sanitizer. The 87-year-old victim, Patricia Gaskins, went to her doctor the day after being discharged from the hospital where he discovered she had a dislocated finger with a crack in the bone.
Stephanie Phillips-Siwiec (Fulton County Sheriffs Office)
"I can’t explain the feeling that came over me from horror, nausea, wanting to scream. You lose faith in humanity at that moment, that this happened in a place where someone is supposed to be cared for," Carolina Ortloff, Patricia's daughter, told FOX 5 News.
During an appearance in front of a Fulton County judge Thursday, Phillips-Siwiec could be heard saying, "Oh my god," as the judge described the alleged incident.
The judge set bail at $140,000 and instructed Phillips-Siwiec to have no contact with anyone over the age of 75, have no contact with anyone working at North Fulton Hospital, and not work as a nurse.
Patricia's daughter says four rings were stolen from her mother during her visit to North Fulton Hospital in August.
In a statement to FOX 5, a Wellstar Health System spokesperson said that Phillips-Siwiec had been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.
"These allegations, if true, go against everything we stand for as caregivers. Every person should feel safe and comfortable when they receive care," the spokesperson said. "We are cooperating with the investigating authorities and will take further action as appropriate. We have apologized to the patient and her family."
Carolina Ortloff hopes to one day reunite her mother with her rings, not for their monetary value but their sentimental value. She also hopes others are encouraged to come forward on behalf of additional potential victims.
"It’s our job to advocate for them, they can’t do it for themselves anymore," Ortloff said.
Authorities have asked anyone who stayed at the hospital and believes they may have been a victim to contact the Roswell Police Department at 770-640-4100.