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 woman worked at Heritage Green Nursing Home in Hamilton, Arbour Creek Long-Term Care Centre in Hamilton and Eatonville Care Centre in Toronto.

One company — Responsive Management Inc. — operates both Arbour Creek and Eatonville while Scott Kozachenko is listed as the administrator of Heritage Green. CBC Hamilton contacted both operators for more details.

Hamilton police declined an interview, but Const. Indy Bharaj told CBC Hamilton the accused worked at the three long-term care homes between October 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 she has been released from custody with a future court date.

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

CBC Hamilton contacted the College of Nurses of Ontario for more details, but as of late Friday afternoon it did not provide any.

The ministry said 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 said anyone with concerns about the safety of residents in long-term care homes can contact the Long-Term Care Homes Family Support and Action Line at 1-866-434-0144, which operates seven days a week.