Former nurse practitioner April Vaught pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and abuse of an impaired adult in connection with the death of Charlene Murphey. Murphey died on December 26, 2017, after Vaught mistakenly administered vecuronium, a paralytic, instead of Versed, a sedative. Vaught was originally charged with reckless homicide and gross neglect of an impaired adult.
The case has drawn national attention, sparking debate about medical errors and criminalization. Vaught admitted to making several errors, including pulling the wrong medication from an automated dispensing cabinet, failing to notice the medication’s warning label, and not properly monitoring Murphey after administering the drug.
Originally, Vaught was indicted on charges of reckless homicide and gross neglect of an impaired adult, facing potential prison time. A jury found her guilty of criminally negligent homicide and abuse of an impaired adult in March 2022, with no prison time. The plea agreement reduces the potential prison sentence she could face at sentencing. The agreement also acknowledges that Vaught’s actions, while negligent, were not intentional or malicious.
find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/former-nurse-practitioner-pleads-guilty-123810614.html