A nurse in South Carolina has been charged with taking prescription medication from her patients for personal use. The South Carolina Department of Public Health reported that 34-year-old Erin Homan was arrested on two counts of theft of controlled substances and two counts of exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
Authorities allege that while working at Angel Oak Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Myrtle Beach in October 2024, Homan unlawfully took a quantity of Tramadol from two patients under her care. Tramadol is a prescription opioid commonly used to treat moderate to severe pain. The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office stated that by taking the medication for personal use, she deprived the patients of the treatment they had been prescribed.
Additionally, warrants for Homan indicate that she also took a quantity of Oxycodone/Acetaminophen (APAP) from another patient. Oxycodone/APAP is a combination pain medication often prescribed for individuals experiencing significant pain levels. Authorities have not disclosed whether any harm resulted from the alleged theft of the medications or how the investigation initially began.
The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office will oversee the prosecution of the case. If convicted, Homan could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Officials have not provided further details regarding her employment status at Angel Oak Nursing and Rehabilitation Center or whether additional investigations are ongoing.
