Officials say that a 44-year-old caregiver has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly killing an Alzheimer’s patient after a heavy dose of morphine.

The 80-year-old woman was killed in February 2010 and the caregiver was indicted in early June. In addition, the woman is charged with felony abuse for the hospitalization of six patients.

Authorities began to investigate for possible abuse after patients tested positive for morphine. Officials think that morphine may have been given to the patients to make them more manageable.

Nursing home abuse can leave elderly people in a helpless situation, our condolences are with the friends and family of the victim.