Iowa Nurse Keeps License After Burglarizing Patient's Home

Incident raises concerns about in-home healthcare vulnerabilities and patient safety.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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A 59-year-old Iowa nurse, Lisa R. Freeland, has retained her nursing license with a one-year suspension after being convicted of burglarizing the home of a patient she was assigned to care for and stealing approximately 30 oxycodone tablets. The case highlights the potential risks and ethical boundaries in the growing in-home healthcare sector.

Why it matters

This incident raises critical questions about patient safety, ethical boundaries, and the potential for substance abuse within the healthcare system. The increasing demand for in-home healthcare creates unique vulnerabilities, as patients place immense trust in caregivers who have access to their homes, medications, and personal information.

The details

Freeland, employed by Right at Home, a provider of in-home health services, entered the patient's home without authorization while the patient slept. Security footage captured her taking the medication. She was initially charged with second-degree burglary and unlawful possession of prescription drugs, but the latter charge was dismissed. She received a deferred judgment on the burglary conviction, meaning the conviction could be removed from her record upon successful completion of three years of probation.

  • In December 2024, Freeland burglarized the patient's home.
  • Freeland was charged with second-degree burglary and unlawful possession of prescription drugs.

The players

Lisa R. Freeland

A 59-year-old Iowa nurse who was convicted of burglarizing a patient's home and stealing approximately 30 oxycodone tablets.

Right at Home

An in-home health care provider for seniors and disabled adults, where Freeland was employed.

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What’s next

The Iowa Board of Nursing will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Freeland to continue practicing as a registered nurse during her two-year probation period.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for enhanced background checks, remote monitoring technologies, improved training and education, and strengthened reporting mechanisms to protect vulnerable patients in the growing in-home healthcare sector.