In a shocking turn of events, Heather Pressdee, a registered nurse from Pennsylvania, now faces additional charges in connection with the administration of lethal or potentially lethal doses of insulin to multiple patients at various healthcare facilities over the past three years. The charges were announced by prosecutors on Thursday, leaving the community stunned and reeling from the tragic allegations.

Pressdee, 41, had previously been accused in May of killing two nursing home patients and causing injuries to a third. During her arraignment on Thursday, she faced an array of new charges, including two counts of first-degree murder. Pressdee waived her preliminary hearing, and her defense attorney, James DePasquale, stated that they are working to avoid a potential death penalty in this case.

Prosecutors have now revealed that the alleged mistreatment extends to 19 additional patients at five different care facilities since 2020. This brings the total number of charges against Pressdee to include two counts of first-degree murder, 17 counts of attempted murder, and 19 counts of neglect of a care-dependent person.

State Attorney General Michelle Henry disclosed that Pressdee administered excessive amounts of insulin to patients, regardless of whether they were diabetic or not. It is alleged that Pressdee chose to carry out these actions during overnight shifts when staffing was minimal, thereby diminishing the chances of immediate detection and hospitalization.

Tragically, 17 patients in Pressdee's care, ranging in age from 43 to 104, have lost their lives due to the alleged actions. Her nursing license was suspended earlier this year, shortly after the initial charges were filed against her.

The accused had been employed as a registered nurse at five different facilities during the period in question. These facilities include Concordia at Rebecca Residence, Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation (Guardian Elder Care), Quality Life Services Chicora, Premier Armstrong Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, and Sunnyview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Attorney General Michelle Henry expressed her deep concern over the allegations, stating, "The allegations against Ms. Pressdee are disturbing. It is hard to comprehend how a nurse, trusted to care for her patients, could choose to deliberately and systematically harm them."

Disturbingly, court documents reveal that Pressdee had sent numerous texts to her mother between April 2022 and May of this year. These messages contained discussions about her discontent with various patients and colleagues, as well as her contemplation of causing them harm. Pressdee also expressed similar complaints about individuals she encountered at restaurants and other locations outside of healthcare facilities.

Additional charging documents from May indicate a history of disciplinary actions against Pressdee for abusive behavior towards patients and/or staff, resulting in her resignation or termination from each facility where she had been employed. Records show that Pressdee had held a series of brief stints at nursing homes and facilities in western Pennsylvania starting in 2018.

As the legal proceedings against Heather Pressdee continue, the community grapples with the tragic loss of life and the devastating impact on the victims and their families. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of trust and vigilance when it comes to the healthcare profession, and it highlights the need for a thorough examination of safeguards to prevent such horrific incidents from occurring in the future.