Warrant: Woman smuggled ‘oxy’ to hospital patient who died

MONROE, La. (AP) - A Louisiana woman faces a second-degree murder charge for allegedly smuggling oxycodone to a hospital patient.

The News-Star reports that the warrant names 35-year-old Virginia Wharton of Calhoun as the suspect in the death of 38-year-old Justin Ewing.

He died while being treated for a drug-resistant staph infection known as MRSA at Louisiana Extended Care Hospital in West Monroe.

According to the warrant, Ewing was found dead on the floor of his hospital room with a syringe in his IV port.

Online booking records show Wharton was arrested Thursday and released Friday with bond set at $40,000.

Her contact information and information on her attorney were not posted.

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Information from: The News-Star, https://www.thenewsstar.com