Misappropriation of Resident Funds by CNA
Penalty
Summary
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) accessed a resident's personal cell phone and used the resident's mobile cash application to transfer two separate amounts of money to herself. The incident was discovered when the resident, who was cognitively intact and required minimal assistance, noticed the unauthorized transactions and reported the theft to another CNA. The resident expressed distress over the incident, and the transactions were confirmed through photos of the cash application on the resident's phone. Interviews and record reviews revealed that the CNA had been employed at the facility following a clear background check, positive references, and a current license. Staff members, including the CNA who received the report and the social worker, confirmed that they had received annual training on abuse, neglect, exploitation, and misappropriation of funds. The facility's policy required immediate reporting of such incidents to the administrator, state agencies, ombudsman, resident representatives, and law enforcement. Despite these policies and training, the CNA was able to access the resident's property and misappropriate funds. The incident was reported to the administrator and social worker, who began gathering evidence and notified the police. The resident was later discharged from the facility for unrelated insurance reasons.