WHITNEY, Texas — A 43-year-old woman was arrested for reportedly stealing medication from a patient at Clifton Lutheran Sunset Ministries, or CLSM, according to Clifton Police Chief Chris Blanton.
Blanton said Clifton PD was called to CLSM right after it was discovered an employee had possibly stolen drugs from an older patient. Clifton PD teamed up with Whitney PD to conduct an investigation and were able to make a quick arrest of the suspect, identified as Ashley Kay Bidwell.
"This person used their position with CLSM to take medication away from an elderly patient when he was in dire need of it, for their own addiction," Blanton said in a news release. "I want to stress that the CLSM took very swift action and was 100% cooperative with our investigation, which is why we were able to make such a quick arrest."
Bidwell faces charges of diversion of a controlled substance by registrants, which means she stole drugs from a patient, Blanton clarified.
Bidwell was also fired from CLSM, Blanton said.
"As far as we can tell they did their part in doing a background check on this individual per state law. It just so happens a bad apple made it through," Blanton said. "It is very unfortunate that this person put the stellar reputation of the CLSM and the safety of this patient in jeopardy."
Blanton also said this was an isolated incident.
Bidwell was also charged with state jail felony and injury to a child/disabled individuals with intentional serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony, as stated by Whitney PD.
Bidwell was booked into the Bosque County Jail, where her bond was initially set at $70,000 but later raised to $150,000.
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