Altoona nurse faces felony charges, swaps oxycodone with vitamin D

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) – A nurse at UPMC Altoona faces felony and misdemeanor charges after police announced she would replace oxycodone pills with vitamin D pills in late 2020.
Dena Pacifico, 39, of Altoona, was arrested after an audit at UPMC revealed discrepancies that led police to her in November.
UPMC police were called to the 11th floor and were alerted that someone had tampered with the Oxycodone and the package was opened on November 11, 2020. According to the police report, they were also called back later in the day. Then again on November 14, 2020 for the same number.
UPMC Altoona officials conducted an employee audit in relation to the distributor on the 11th floor. During the audit, many red flags were raised regarding the management of transactions and drugs by Pacifico.
When questioned, Pacifico allegedly admitted to taking the Oxy and replacing it with vitamin D pills and taking them to help her sleep.
Pacifico faces felony and misdemeanor drug misappropriation charges and was released on $ 10,000 unsecured bail Thursday after her arraignment, at which time she also waived her preliminary inquiry.