Palmetto State News

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Erin Homan, a 34-year-old nurse from Murrells Inlet, on charges related to the theft of controlled substances from patients. The charges include two counts of Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult and two counts of Theft of a Controlled Substance, First Offense. Homan was taken into custody at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on March 18, 2025.

The allegations concern incidents occurring on October 23, 2024, while Homan was employed as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Angel Oak Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Myrtle Beach. Investigators claim that she stole Tramadol, a schedule IV controlled substance, from two residents for personal use.

Angel Oak Nursing and Rehabilitation Center reported the case to authorities and has been cooperative with investigators. The Attorney General's Office will handle prosecution.

If convicted, Homan faces potential penalties including up to five years in prison or fines up to $5,000 for each felony charge.

The Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) has jurisdiction over such cases involving Medicaid provider fraud and abuse within assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Attorney General Wilson emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Funding for VAMPF comes primarily from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which provides 75 percent under a grant totaling $2,889,252 for federal fiscal year 2025. The remaining funds are provided by South Carolina.