KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KAKE) - A former Kansas nurse has been sentenced for stealing fentanyl from hospitals she worked for.

The United States Attorney's Office District of Kansas says 42-year-old Faith Naccarato stole fentanyl from the surgical specialty unit at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park between January and April of 2020. Naccarato also stole fentanyl from the noninvasive cardiology unit at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission in Meriam. Authorities say she would replace the drug with a saline solution before putting the vials back in the cabinets. 

Naccarato pleaded guilty to two counts of tampering with a consumer product as well as two counts of possession of fentanyl by deception and subterfuge. She has been sentenced to a year and one day in prison.

“Our medical facilities are not immune from the effects of the growing fentanyl addiction crisis in our country, and as a result, the District of Kansas prosecutes a growing number of cases against health care providers accused of stealing medication intended to go to patients,” said Kate E. Brubacher, U.S. Attorney. “The Justice Department believes stopping these abuses is paramount to guarding the public trust: people must have confidence in the integrity of their health care."