She admitted to “withholding vital and medically necessary medication” from 44 residents under her care.
A former employee of several Oregon senior living communities has pleaded guilty to six of the 21 counts against her of stealing money, jewelry and medications from residents. She was sentenced Thursday to two months in jail.
Noelle Renee Jendraszek pleaded guilty in Lane County Circuit Court in Eugene, OR, to first-degree criminal mistreatment, third-degree theft and tampering with drug records. Her jail time will be followed by three years of supervised probation. She also will not be allowed to work again as a caregiver and must pay restitution to her victims.
Jendrszek most recently worked as a caregiver at Junction City Retirement and Assisted Living in Junction City, OR. She also had been employed at Salem, OR-based communities Cedar Village Assisted Living Community, Capital Manor Retirement Community, Four Seasons Residential Care, Gibson Creek by Bonaventure, Prestige Senior Living Orchard Heights and Redwood Heights Retirement and Assisted living Community; and River Grove Memory Care in Eugene, OR.
An investigation into Jendraszek began in September 2020 after a resident’s son reported that cash had been stolen from his father. Jendraszek was fired the next day, according to a report from KEZI 9.
She was arrested Oct. 14, 2020, by Junction City Police, who said she was “extremely cooperative and forthcoming” and talked openly with investigators “about her wrongdoings.” Within hours of her initial interview, Jendraszek surrendered about 275 pieces of jewelry she admitted stealing from residents at various assisted living and care communities over the past five to six years. She also admitted to “withholding vital and medically necessary medication” from 44 residents under her care.
Jendraszek initially was jailed on 55 counts of criminal mistreatment, 44 counts of tampering with drug records and 11 counts of theft.
In a notarized affidavit admitting her guilt, Jendraszek stated she was “apologetic for any harm I have done and/or any sadness I have caused. It is my intent to correct my wrongs and do the right thing by taking responsibility for my actions. I hope someday that all the families and persons I have harmed can find it within themselves to forgive me because I know what I have done is wrong and I am seeking the help I need to recover and become a better person.”
