Woman charged with stealing from patients and staff at hospitals across Ontario

Police in Ontario, Canada, have charged a woman with 65 offences including fraud and theft for allegedly stealing from patients and staff at a number of healthcare centres in the province.

Key points

• Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) identified the suspect as Nassim Eronn, 34, from Burlington, a city 56km (34 miles) south of Toronto.
• OPP began investigating the woman in May after a report of theft when she worked at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, regarding 130km north of Toronto.
• They say the incidents under investigation began in February 2024 and continued until as lately as last month.
• "This investigation was prompted by several complaints of theft and fraud from patients and staff within the hospital, " police remarked at the time.
• The investigation was expanded to cover more hospitals where further incidents were uncovered.

"The investigation was initiated following multiple reports of theft and fraud involving patients and staff members within healthcare facilities, " police remarked in an official note to BBC News.

They say the incidents under investigation began in February 2024 and continued until as lately as last month. The suspect worked at health centres throughout the province.

Meanwhile, the suspect faces charges including 34 counts of fraud under $5, 000 (£3, 800), 13 counts of theft under $5, 000 and seven counts of disobeying a court order, according to police. Other charges include breach of trust and impersonation.

For context, the investigation was expanded to cover more hospitals where further incidents were uncovered.

"Multiple search warrants were executed where significant amounts of property were seized, " police remarked.

It is unclear what were the suspect's specific duties at the hospitals.

Investigators believe there may be more victims and have pressed the public to come forward with relevant information after reviewing their financial records for suspicious transactions. Five healthcare facilities are covered by the investigation.

Taken together, the developments around woman charged with stealing from patients and staff at hospitals across Ontario point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.