In a heartbreaking case from Florida, a 54-year-old nurse named Juansette Sabrina Green is behind bars after she allegedly removed her elderly mother’s intubation tube in a hospital ICU, leading to the woman’s death. Green is now facing a serious criminal charge of aggravated manslaughter of an elderly person, and is being held in jail without bond.
What Happened in the ICU?
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by local news channel WTVJ, the incident happened on Friday at North Shore Medical Center in Miami. Green’s mother had been admitted on May 5, complaining of shortness of breath. Her condition worsened, and she was later moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
On the day of the incident, Green reportedly called her son and daughter to the hospital, saying that her mother’s health was getting worse.
Nurse Allegedly Removed Life Support
While in the ICU room with family members and other witnesses, Green is said to have suddenly pulled out the intubation tube from her mother, reportedly saying “I’m pulling out”, just before doing it.
The removal triggered a medical alarm, and hospital staff rushed in to help, but Green allegedly told them to stop, saying she wanted her mother to “go in peace.” Sadly, the mother passed away shortly afterward.
Arrest and Legal Action
Green left the hospital soon after the incident, but police from the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office arrested her at her home later the same day. She was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Court records show that Green has been a licensed practical nurse since 2005 with no previous disciplinary issues. It is unclear if she worked at North Shore or another medical facility.
During a court hearing over the weekend, a judge found probable cause to hold her, denied her bail, and she has since pleaded not guilty to the charges. Green has been assigned a public defender, and her next court date is set for Wednesday.
A Difficult and Emotional Case
The case has raised difficult questions around end-of-life care, family decisions, and legal responsibility. While Green claimed she wanted her mother to die peacefully, prosecutors are treating the act as a criminal offense due to the removal of life-sustaining medical equipment without proper authorization.