HARRISBURG, PA — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the filing of criminal charges yesterday against an Allegheny County veterinary hospital employee for allegedly stealing various drugs, cash, and gift cards from the hospital and other employees.
Heidi Schumacher, 42, worked at River Valley Veterinary Hospital in Springdale when she allegedly committed the crimes. She surrendered Wednesday at a magisterial district court and was arraigned on: seven felony counts of prohibited acts related to illegally acquiring and delivering the controlled substances; one felony count of forgery; one misdemeanor count of identity theft; and two misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking.
An Office of Attorney General investigation determined that Schumacher was seen on video taking medications — often after hours when employees should not have been at the facility. Schumacher also admitted to taking about $1,100 in petty cash, as well as gift cards from the facility and other employees.
“This employee was trusted with access to controlled substances and a petty cash account, and she broke that trust time and time again by stealing for a substantial period of time,” Attorney General Henry said. “The defendant chose to use her position to steal drugs for her own personal needs, so she will now face the consequences of her actions.”
An investigation by the Office of Attorney General found that Schumacher allegedly printed forged prescription bottle labels and entered the locked pharmacy after hours when the clinic was closed to steal the drugs. Schumacher is accused of taking multiple controlled substances, including Alprazolam, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Phenobarbital, Torbugesic, and Tramadol.
Additionally, Schumacher’s position as an employee allowed her to present prescriptions for her dogs to be signed by a veterinarian. In at least one instance, Schumacher presented a prescription for Hydrocodone — after her dog had died.
This case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Katie Wymard.
Information, a criminal complaint, or an arrest is not a declaration of guilt. A suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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