BUTLER TWP — A nurse is accused of taking painkillers and sedatives for her own use while on the job at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Laura S. Camerlo, 42, of Freeport allegedly took the prescription drugs from a medication dispensing system in 2008 and last year, the state Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics said in court papers filed Tuesday.

Camerlo in March 2009 admitted she had an "addiction problem," according to charging documents, and acknowledged stealing the medication.

District Judge Kevin O'Donnell issued an arrest warrant for the defendant on a felony charge of fraudulent acquisition of a controlled substance. She also is charged with misdemeanor drug possession.

A telephone call by the Butler Eagle to Camerlo's attorney, Samuel DiFatta, was not returned Thursday.

Camerlo is no longer employed by Butler Health Systems, said BMH spokeswoman Connie Downs.

Authorities said Camerlo is expected to turn herself in at O'Donnell's office next week, when she will be arraigned on charges.

State narcotics agent Lawrence Fuksa learned in May that hospital officials suspected the defendant of taking the painkiller hydromorphone and the sedative midazolam from a cabinet at the cardiac catheterization lab.

The suspicions followed a hospital internal review that found discrepancies with medication taken from the drug dispenser and records used by Camerlo to report medications given to patients.

The defendant, accompanied by her attorney, allegedly confessed during a June 10 interview with Fuksa.

"Camerlo stated she would remove (the) drugs under a patient's name that had previously been medicated," court papers said, "and document this on the (medical administration record)."

Investigators suspect that Camerlo between October 2008 and March 2009 stole the medication from the drug dispenser about 20 times. The stolen drugs, authorities said, were valued at $125.

Meanwhile, Camerlo's registered nurse's license remains active, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State.