Spencer, IA (Northwest Iowa Now) — After allegedly being charged with overdosing patients, a contracted nurse in Spencer has decided to take a plea deal.

According to court documents – 36-year-old Rachel Martinez of Peterson – is facing six charges, including four counts of wanton neglect of a dependent adult by a caretaker. The other two counts were drug related charges. Allegedly Martinez was working as a contracted nurse at Spencer Hospital in November of 2022. She administered hydrocodone to a patient 3 times within 5 hours – that drug was to be administered to the patient only once every 4 hours. Martinez also administered Tramadol 4 times within 7 hours, which was supposed to be given once every 6 hours. Martinez was arrested in 2023.

Martinez is scheduled to appear in court Monday, March 17th to appear before a judge.  Rachel Martinez had been employed by Aya Healthcare – a staffing agency that provides traveling nurses to facilities across Iowa and other states.