Fake Nurse Wanted By Houston Police

A disturbing case of nursing license fraud has emerged in Houston, Texas, highlighting critical vulnerabilities in the healthcare system that put vulnerable patients at risk. Dazael Gloria, 33, is currently wanted by police after allegedly impersonating a nurse and providing medical care to disabled children and adults without proper qualifications.

About The Case

According to court documents filed on April 29, Gloria has been charged with three counts of practicing nursing with a fraudulent license after allegedly stealing a relative's identity to secure employment at two home healthcare agencies. This deception allowed him to provide life-sustaining care to vulnerable individuals between 2022 and 2023, despite having surrendered his own vocational nursing license in 2020.

The Texas Board of Nursing had placed Gloria on their nursing imposter list in 2022, yet he was still able to gain employment in positions requiring nursing credentials. This raises significant questions about verification processes at healthcare agencies and the systems in place to protect patients from unqualified practitioners.

Criminal complaint details

The criminal complaint details particularly troubling incidents. In one case, Gloria allegedly abandoned a non-verbal wheelchair user, leaving them completely unattended. When questioned, Gloria claimed he had been "assaulted while taking out the trash" and feared returning to the patient's residence, according to statements his former employer provided to police.

In another incident from 2023, Gloria was hired to care for a 5-year-old child while still using the fraudulently obtained license. During this employment, he allegedly stole and used the patient's mother's credit cards. Court records show Gloria had previously been convicted of theft in 2021, suggesting a pattern of criminal behavior that extended beyond credential fraud.

This case exemplifies the serious risks posed when verification systems fail. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, credential fraud cases like this one compromise patient safety and undermine public trust in the nursing profession. While exact statistics on nursing impersonation are limited, the NCSBN maintains a national database to help prevent such fraud.

The Houston Police Department's Major Offenders Division conducted the investigation that led to these charges. Prosecutors have requested a substantial bail amount, citing significant community safety concerns. A warrant has been issued for Gloria's arrest, and authorities are actively searching for him.

Patients and families can take protective measures by:

• Requesting to see nursing credentials and verifying them with state boards
• Being alert to unusual behavior or care practices
• Reporting concerns immediately to healthcare facility management
• Using online verification tools available through state nursing boards

The Texas Board of Nursing offers a public verification system where anyone can check a nurse's license status at https://www.bon.texas.gov/. Similar resources exist in all states and should be utilized by both employers and patients seeking to verify credentials.

As this case progresses through the legal system, it serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of professional integrity in nursing and the systems needed to protect vulnerable patients from those who would exploit positions of trust.

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