WATERLOO, IOWA — A registered nurse convicted of burglarizing a patient's home and stealing prescription painkillers while the patient slept has been allowed to retain her active nursing license, according to multiple Iowa news outlets, raising pointed questions about the state's oversight of healthcare workers with criminal records.
Lisa R. Freeland, 59, of Waterloo, was working as a visiting nurse for Right at Home, an in-home health care agency serving seniors and disabled adults, when she entered a patient's mobile home on Ellington Street without authorization on December 20, 2024, according to reports from KCRG and the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. Freeland had previously visited the home while filling in for another nurse, and returned that evening while the patient was asleep, as reported by KWAY Radio.
Security cameras inside the residence captured footage of Freeland entering the home and making her way into the kitchen, where she collected pills and placed them in her coat pocket, according to KWAY Radio. At one point she reportedly tripped over a chair, waking the patient. Approximately 30 oxycodone tablets were later determined to be missing from the home. The patient's son, who was out of town at the time, discovered the intrusion after reviewing the security camera footage and reported it to police, as reported by News from the States.
Criminal Case and Board Action
Freeland was arrested and charged on January 3, 2025, with second-degree burglary — a felony — and unlawful possession of a prescription drug, according to KWAY Radio. Her employer confirmed she was not scheduled to work at that location at the time of the incident.
She pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary in July 2025 and received a deferred judgment, meaning the conviction will be expunged from her record upon successful completion of three years of probation, as reported by the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. The misdemeanor charge of unlawful possession of prescription drugs was dismissed.
The Iowa Board of Nursing subsequently charged Freeland with misappropriating patient medications and unprofessional conduct, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch. However, the resulting settlement disciplined only her practical nurse license — a credential that had been inactive since 1995. Her active registered nurse license, the credential she was actually using to provide patient care, remained unaffected. The LPN suspension runs up to 22 months followed by two years of probation, and Freeland must complete a substance abuse evaluation, as reported by the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. Freeland accepted the disciplinary conditions without admitting wrongdoing in the board's settlement.
The outcome has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and patient advocates who question whether the board's action adequately protects patients. Federal and state regulations require that healthcare workers entrusted with access to vulnerable patients in their homes meet standards of professional conduct, and a felony burglary conviction involving theft of controlled substances from a patient raises fundamental questions about fitness to practice.
CMS Inspection History
While the criminal case involves a home health care worker rather than a facility-based incident, it is worth noting that Iowa's long-term care landscape includes major state-run institutions with strong regulatory records. The Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, for example, is a 702-bed state government-operated facility that holds a five-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, including top marks in health inspections, staffing, and quality measures.
CMS records show the Iowa Veterans Home has accumulated only 12 total deficiencies across eight inspections on record, with its most recent survey conducted on November 17, 2025. Recent deficiencies at the facility have been relatively minor, including a Severity D citation in November 2025 related to ensuring areas are free from accident hazards and providing adequate supervision. A more significant Severity G deficiency was recorded in January 2020 involving a resident's right to dignified existence and self-determination.
The contrast between well-regulated institutional facilities and the oversight gaps in home health care settings underscores a broader vulnerability in Iowa's healthcare system. Home health workers operate with minimal direct supervision, often alone in patients' residences, making robust licensing oversight all the more critical.
Ownership & Operations
Right at Home, Freeland's employer at the time of the burglary, is a national franchise network providing in-home care services to seniors and adults with disabilities. The company operates independently owned locations across the country. The specific franchise location that employed Freeland has not publicly commented on what internal review or policy changes, if any, were implemented following the incident. Home health agencies are generally required to conduct background checks on employees, though deferred judgment provisions can complicate the screening process by allowing criminal records to be expunged.
Resources for Families
Families with loved ones receiving home health care or residing in long-term care facilities in Iowa who have concerns about the conduct of healthcare workers can contact the following resources:
- Iowa Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-866-236-1430 — This office investigates complaints and advocates for residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care settings. - National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center Hotline: 1-800-677-1116 - Long-Term Care Ombudsman Website: https://ltcombudsman.org
Families should document any concerns thoroughly, including preserving any security camera footage, maintaining records of medications, and reporting suspected theft or abuse to both local law enforcement and the Iowa Board of Nursing. Complaints about nurse conduct can be filed directly with the Iowa Board of Nursing through its online complaint process.
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