Casey Guzman

WARSAW — A woman lost her job at a local nursing home and is facing charges after allegedly allowing an off-duty employee access to a locked medication cart. 

Casey Lynn Guzman, 52, 139 E. Baker St., Warsaw, is charged with dispensing a legend drug illegally, a level 6 felony; and aiding, inducing or causing theft, a class A misdemeanor. 

The off-duty employee, identified as Michelle Wunder, 42, 6514 N. CR 650E, Pierceton, is charged with unlawful possession or use of a legend drug, a level 6 felony; and theft, a class A misdemeanor. A warrant was issued for Wunder’s arrest on Jan. 20.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Nov. 30, 2019, a law enforcement officer responded to a report of theft at Warsaw Meadows nursing home in Warsaw. 

Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the executive director of the facility, who said she was informed of a medication theft that occurred earlier in the shift. 

The director told police she was informed that Wunder requested a Seroquel pill for personal use from an on-duty QMA. The QMA refused to give the medication to Wunder.

After being denied by the QMA, Wunder then went to Guzman and requested the medication from her, at which time it is reported that Guzman allowed Wunder to access and take the Seroquel pill from the locked medication cart.

The director said she spoke with Guzman about providing access and authorization to Wunder to take the Seroquel pill. Guzman allegedly admitted to allowing Wunder to take the pill. According to the affidavit of probable cause, Guzman was terminated from her position at the nursing home at that time.

An officer spoke with Wunder on Dec. 2, 2019, and Wunder said, “I needed a pill because I was out of them so I got one and then I got fired.”

The officer spoke with Guzman on Dec. 3, 2019. Guzman said she was approached by Wunder, who appeared very distressed and appeared to be having some sort of anxiety. Guzman said Wunder asked if she could obtain a Seroquel pill from the medication cart for her personal use. Guzman allegedly admitted to getting the keys from another employee and then, under that employee’s supervision, allowed Wunder access to the medication cart and authorization to take a Seroquel pill from the prescription of a patient at the nursing home for her personal use. 

Guzman was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail Jan. 23 on a $5,250 surety and cash bond.