PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) -- A nurse at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital is facing theft charges in connection to stealing thousands of dollars from his patient.
According to the Department of Health, Trenton Duckworth, 23, became a registered nurse in February. Then 10 months later, he was arrested on allegations of stealing from his patient.
While working at Orlando Health, Duckworth allegedly stole checks from his 75-year-old patient, according to an arrest affidavit.
"He's only 23 years old; he hasn't been a nurse that long," said Yolanda Fernandez, PIO manager for the St. Petersburg Police Department.
After becoming a registered nurse in February, he began working at HCA Florida Northside Hospital until June. Months later, Duckworth allegedly wrote himself a $5,000 check and forged his patient's signature.
"It was the son of the patient who was very alert," Fernandez said. "He was handling his dad's finances, and he noticed that there was some checks that was made out to somebody with an unusual name, Trenton Duckworth."
Yolanda Fernandez with the St. Petersburg Police Department said Duckworth also allegedly stole this same patient's credit card information. Court records show he used it to buy gas, food, dog walking services, and to bet on sports.
"It happened during the time that he was at the hospital because he was between assisted-living facilities," Fernandez said.
Fernandez said the victim in the case is 75 and suffers from dementia.
A hospital spokesperson shared this statement with 8 On Your Side: "Orlando Health's number one priority is the health and safety of patients, team members and visitors. We take allegations of misconduct seriously and have launched an internal investigation. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement."
"When you go into the hospital, you want your medical records to be private," said Fernandez. "You certainly expect that you'll have privacy another way. I know the hospital took this very seriously and contacted police immediately."
St. Pete police detectives are looking into this to make sure there are no other victims.