A Pennsylvania woman is accused of hustling heroin from a hospital intensive care unit and a hospital room. Lori Sullenberger, 38, was arrested on felony and misdemeanor drug charges during a stay at Excela Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, PA.
Sullenberger was being treated for an undisclosed reason when hospital security became curious of the activity in her room. “What they noticed last week was an exuberant amount of foot traffic happening to the patient’s room; not people coming to stay two hours, but coming to stay for two minutes and they thought that was really odd,” hospital spokeswoman Jennifer Miele said.
After selling 30 bags of heroin to an undercover officer, police seized $3,800 in heroin, two syringes, and $1,420 in cash from her room. Police said Sullenberger was able to run her business by using multiple cellphones to have visitors meet her in her room. Her boyfriend is suspected in assisting with the drug operation. And a third man, who allegedly bought or possessed drugs from Sullenberger, was also arrested. She also sold narcotics to patients who were being treated for their addictions in the facility.
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“Definitely is one of the more unique cases, to be selling narcotics out of an intensive care unit where obviously people are trying to get help,” Police Capt. Chad Zucco said. Officials also say she was putting the drug in her IV.
Excela Westmoreland Hospital continued to treat Sullenberger as police worked on arrest warrants this week. The hospital has shut down her visiting hours.