Polk County nurse’s license restricted
The Florida Department of Health restricted a Polk County nurse’s license after she was arrested for allegedly spending $3,200 with credit cards and blank checks she stole from one of her elderly patients.
Cheri Cobbett, 43 of Winter Haven, was working at Grace Healthcare of Lake Wales, a senior living home about 30 miles southeast of Lakeland, while she was caring for a 72-year-old woman identified only as “D.D.”
In January, Cobbett allegedly stole a debit card, two credit cards and five blank checks from the woman, and over the next several weeks used them to buy items at Dillard’s, JC Penney and Walmart. Police say she withdrew money at an ATM from the woman’s bank accounts, used the cards to get cash back at stores, and forged one of the stolen checks to pay herself $400.
Cobbett also reportedly paid a locksmith using one of the stolen checks. According to an order for emergency restriction of Cobbett’s practical nursing license, she told the locksmith “the check was given to her by her mother because her checks, credit and debit cards were stolen.”
In total, Cobbett made 28 transactions and withdrawals with the woman’s cards and checks, totaling more than $3,200. She was arrested Feb. 20 when she arrived for a shift at Grace Healthcare after D.D. realized she’d been robbed. The Lake Wales Police Department reported they found one of the credit cards and three of the checks in Cobbett’s pocket.
Cobbett faces felony charges for criminal use of a personal ID, forging a check, and theft from someone 65 years or older. She posted $28,000 in bond and has pleaded not guilty.
Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott A. Rivkees restricted Cobbett’s practical nursing license on May 5, writing in the order that the Florida Department of Health believes her “conduct (is) likely to continue.” The Department is also pursuing “formal discipline” of her license.
“Ms. Cobbett does not possess the requisite judgment to be a licensed practical nurse,” the order states. “Ms. Cobbett’s actions pose a threat to all patients whose financial information she may have access to.”