Pennsylvania nurse sentenced for death of patients, mistreatment

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — The attorney general announced a Pennsylvania nurse, who allegedly killed and mistreated patients under her care, has been sentenced to life in prison.

According to Attorney General Michelle Henry, Heather Pressdee will spend the rest of her life in prison, without the possibility of parole, for intentionally administering lethal doses of insulin to patients at numerous skilled nursing facilities.

A Butler County judge sentenced Pressdee to three consecutive life sentences regarding three counts of first-degree murder, plus 380 to 760 years of consecutive incarceration for the 19 counts of criminal attempt to commit murder.

Pressdee, 41, was previously charged in May for her mistreatment of three patients . On Thursday, the Office of the Attorney General filed charges regarding the mistreatment of 19 additional patients at five different care facilities between 2020 and 2023.

Pressdee is accused of administering excessive amounts of insulin to these patients, some of whom were diabetic and required insulin, and some of whom were not. In total, investigators stated that 17 patients died who had been cared for by Pressdee.

Pressdee was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, 17 counts of attempted murder, and 19 counts of neglect of a care-dependent person.

The victims ranged in age from 43 to 104.

The alleged crimes happened while Pressdee was employed as a registered nurse at the following facilities:

• Concordia at Rebecca Residence
• Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation (Guardian)
• Quality Life Services Chicora; Premier Armstrong Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
• Sunnyview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

The AG’s office said Pressdee typically administered the insulin during overnight shifts when staffing was low and the emergencies would not prompt immediate hospitalization.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.