Nurse Arrested After Pulling Mom’s ICU Breathing Tube—Charged With Manslaughter

A recent case at Northshore Medical Center in Miami has raised profound ethical questions about end-of-life care decisions and the legal boundaries for medical professionals. Juansette Sabrina Green, a 54-year-old licensed practical nurse, has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of an elderly or disabled adult after allegedly removing her mother's breathing tube in the intensive care unit.

Key Details: 

• Juansette Sabrina Green, a 54-year-old licensed practical nurse in Miami, has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of an elderly or disabled adult.
• Green allegedly removed the intubation/breathing tube from her terminally ill mother while she was in the ICU at Northshore Medical Center, causing her mother's death.
• According to reports, Green told hospital staff "I'm pulling out" before removing the tube, triggering alarms. She then asked staff to stop resuscitation efforts, stating she "wanted her mother to go in peace."
• Green's mother had been admitted to the hospital on May 5 due to shortness of breath and was placed on assisted breathing as her condition worsened.
• Green is not employed by the hospital. She left after the incident but was later arrested at her home by the Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office.
• During a court hearing, a judge denied Green bond due to the serious nature of the case. She has pleaded not guilty.
• Green has been a licensed practical nurse since 2005 with no prior disciplinary issues according to state records. She remains in custody awaiting her next court date on May 21st.

About The Case

According to court documents, Green's mother was admitted to the hospital on May 5, suffering from shortness of breath. As her condition deteriorated, medical staff placed her on ventilator support in the ICU. On May 10, Green allegedly took matters into her own hands in a way that crossed both legal and professional boundaries.

Witnesses report that Green announced, "I'm pulling out," before removing her mother's intubation tube, an action that immediately triggered medical alarms. When hospital staff responded to the emergency, Green reportedly asked them to stop resuscitation efforts, stating she "wanted her mother to go in peace.” Shortly thereafter, her mother was pronounced dead.

What makes this case particularly notable is that Green, though a licensed nurse since 2005 with no prior disciplinary history, was not authorized to make medical decisions for patients at Northshore Medical Center, as she wasn't employed there. This distinction is critical from both legal and ethical perspectives.

End-of-life decisions typically involve formal processes including advance directives, medical power of attorney designations, and ethics committee consultations when necessary. According to the American Nurses Association's Code of Ethics, nurses must respect patient autonomy—including in life-or-death situations—while also being aware of and following established protocols. However, patient autonomy is a central ethical principle and should not be overridden by protocol except in very limited circumstances

The Arrest

Green left the hospital following the incident but was later arrested at her home by the Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office. During her court appearance, a judge denied bond due to the serious nature of the allegations. Green has pleaded not guilty and has been assigned a public defender, with her next court date scheduled for May 21.

This case raises important questions for nursing professionals about the boundaries of compassion, legal authority, and proper channels for addressing end-of-life concerns. While many nurses face situations where they witness suffering and may have personal opinions about care decisions, professional standards require following established protocols and respecting the boundaries of their role.

Green remains in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center as the investigation continues. The case has drawn significant media attention, highlighting the emotional and ethical complexities involved in end-of-life care. It has also prompted discussions about the need for clearer guidelines and better communication between healthcare providers and families to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The medical community continues to watch closely, as the case may set a precedent for how similar situations are handled in the future.

🤔 Nurses, share your thoughts in the discussion below.