Mississauga woman charged for pretending to be nurse in long-term care homes: Hamilton police

Hamilton police have arrested a Mississauga woman who they say was working at long-term care homes and pretending to be a qualified nurse.

Police said in a Friday media release officers started an investigation in May 2023 after learning the 29-year-old woman misrepresented herself as a qualified nurse to get a job.

Mark Nesbitt, spokesperson for the Ministry of Long-term Care, said in an email the womanworked at Heritage Green Nursing Home in Hamilton, Arbour Creek Long-Term Care Centre in Hamiltonand Eatonville Care Centre in Toronto.

One company Responsive Management Inc. operates both Arbour Creek andEatonville while Scott Kozachenkois listed as the administratorofHeritage Green. CBC Hamilton contacted both operators for more details.

Hamilton police declined an interview, but Const. Indy Bharaj told CBC Hamiltonthe accusedworked at the three long-term care homes betweenOctober 2022 and May 2023.

"The woman forged a real nurse's legitimate documents into her own name to obtain employment," police said in the release.

Nesbitt said inspections were completed in May and June of 2023 which identified the suspect. He also said all homes were issued compliance orders and written notifications related to the issue. The orders have been complied with, he said.

The woman is charged with fraud over $5,000, false pretence over $5,000 and four counts of used forged documents.

Police say shehas been released from custody with a future court date.

The service also said it is still investigating and has contacted the province and theCollege of Nurses of Ontario.

CBC Hamiltoncontacted the College of Nurses of Ontariofor more details, but as of late Friday afternoon it did not provide any.

The ministrysaid the hiring of staff in long-term care homes is the responsibility of the licensee or operator of the home.

"The ministry requires all homes in the province to follow appropriate procedures to hire qualified individuals to provide the best possible care for residents," Nesbitt said.

He saidanyone with concerns about the safety of residents in long-term care homes cancontact the Long-Term Care Homes Family Support and Action Line at 1-866-434-0144, which operates seven days a week.