Formal arraignment postponed for Harrison nurse accused of killing 2 patients

The formal arraignment for a Harrison nurse accused of killing two patients by insulin overdose was continued Tuesday.

Heather Pressdee, 40, was scheduled for a hearing at the Butler County Courthouse, but her case will be heard at a later unscheduled date, according to the Clerk of Courts Office.

Pressdee was charged May 25 by the state Attorney General’s Office with allegedly killing two patients and injuring a third while she cared for them at the Quality Life Services-Chicora nursing facility in Donegal Township, Butler County.

She is charged with two counts of criminal homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault, three counts of neglect of a care-dependent person and three counts of reckless endangerment, according to court documents.

The state Attorney General’s Office said Wednesday it had no comment on Pressdee’s case.

It is unclear whether the state has served additional warrants or requested patient records from any of the other 10 facilities where Pressdee worked over the past several years.

Pressdee remains in the Butler County jail. Her attorney, Phil DiLucente, did not return calls seeking comment.

Earlier this summer, Pressdee waived her right to a preliminary hearing in District Judge Lewis Stoughton’s courtroom in Chicora. She remained silent during that brief court appearance, while her parents sat in the courtroom.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry previously said the allegations against Pressdee outline callous abuse of vulnerable patients.

She is accused of administering insulin to two patients who were not diabetic and to a noninsulin-dependent diabetic.

The insulin administration led to medical emergencies for all three patients and caused the death of two, according to state prosecutors.

Pressdee is charged with homicide in the death of a 55-year-old man who died Dec. 4 and an 83-year-old man who died on Christmas Day. The third victim, a 73-year-old man, survived an Aug. 31 insulin administration after an emergency hospitalization.

Authorities have not identified the victims by name.

In addition to Quality Life, Pressdee worked at several facilities since 2018, including Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison; Platinum Ridge Center for Rehabilitation & Healing in Brackenridge; Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Lower Burrell; Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Indiana Township; Orchards of Saxonburg in Butler County; UPMC Passavant in McCandless; Concordia at Rebecca Residence in West Deer; Woodhaven Care Center in Monroeville; Premier Armstrong Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Kittanning; and Sunnyview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Butler.

According to police, Pressdee was disciplined at each location for abusive behavior toward patients or staff. She resigned or was fired from each facility.