Nurse accused of taking prescription drugs from a Socastee nursing complex
A Myrtle Beach area nurse is accused of taking prescription pain medication from the Socastee facility where she worked, according to an arrest warrant.
Valerie Louise Smith, 30, was charged with theft of a controlled substance by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. She was booked into J. Reuben Long Detention Center on Tuesday and released after posting $5,000 bond.
She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Smith worked as a licensed practical nurse at Grand Strand Rehab & Nursing Center, 4452 Socastee Blvd., according to the arrest warrant. She took hydrocodone from the facility where she worked as a nurse, the warrant states. The warrant does not detail how many pills she took.
The warrants alleges the incident happened in late March, and Smith admitted to taking the medication.
Smith is the third Horry County medical professional charged with theft of medication this month. Carrie Ann Matarese, 40, was accused of taking drugs from a Conway area rehab center. Police also say that Melissa Miranda, 33, an employee at a Murrells Inlet Walgreens, stole medication while working in the pharmacy.
