KEYSER, W.Va. — A Keyser woman admitted to stealing jewelry from a dead body.
Tonya Poland, 41, pleaded guilty to felony grand larceny in Mineral County Circuit Court. She faces up to 10 years behind bars.
Poland was a nurse at Potomac Valley Hospital when the crime occurred. Prosecutors say on November 17, 2012 at the hospital patient Harold Myers was pronounced dead after being transported from Moran Manor Nursing Home. When he was brought to the hospital he had three rings on his fingers. When he arrived at the funeral home there was only one ring.
Poland soon became a suspect and eventually confessed to Mineral County Deputy Kevin McKone. She told McKone she took the rings and then returned them to the deputy. The rings were valued at $1,400.
Poland is awaiting sentencing.