Karla D. Smith, 43, of 2142 A Hayport Road, Wheelersburg, owner of Karla's Cleaning, is charged with theft of drugs, a felony of the fourth degree, and possession of drugs, also a fourth- degree felony.
Scioto County Sheriff Marty V. Donini said Tuesday at about 9:28 a.m., detectives from the Scioto County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit arrested Smith, after observing the subject.
According to Donini, narcotics detectives had been investigating a complaint received from a Wheelersburg resident in November because the resident noticed prescription medication missing from his residence after the residence had been cleaned by Smith.
Donini said on Tuesday morning, narcotics detectives conducted a surveillance operation inside the victim's residence and collected evidence they say shows Smith stealing morphine sulfate 15-milligram pills from a prescription bottle.
He said in a statement to narcotics detectives, Smith not only admitted to the theft of the medication on Tuesday, but also admitted to committing previous thefts of medication inside the victim's home.
Smith was arrested and transported to Scioto County Jail, and was held in jail by Scioto County Common Pleas Court Probation Department for violating probation.
Donini said Smith had been placed on probation on a theft from the elderly conviction in 2006.
Smith was arraigned in Portsmouth Municipal Court at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
A case against Smith will be forwarded to the Scioto County Prosecutor's Office to be presented to a Scioto County Grand Jury for consideration of additional charges.
Donini said anyone wishing to leave drug information can call the Scioto County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit at (740) 351-1094, or e-mail them at drugs@sciotocountysheriff.com.
He said all information would remain confidential and anonymous.
FRANK LEWIS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.
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