DES MOINES — A Marshalltown woman was sentenced to six months in prison on Aug. 14 for diverting controlled substances for her own use and falsely noting the administration of controlled substances in patient records.

According to public court documents, Amanda Nicole Manatt, 37, was employed as a registered nurse in the emergency room at UnityPoint-Marshalltown Hospital, Marshalltown where in 2023 she diverted controlled substances (fentanyl, hydromorphone, and morphine). She obtained controlled substances in patients’ names, documented them as administered to the patients and then took them for her own use. In December 2023, Manatt’s employment ended at UnityPoint-Marshalltown Hospital. In January 2024, Manatt obtained employment as a nurse at the emergency room at Mary Greeley Medical Center, where she again obtained controlled substances (hydromorphone) in patients’ names, recorded them as administered to the patients and then took them for her own use until her employment ended in April 2024.

Court records reflect that in some cases patients experienced pain due to Manatt’s taking the controlled substances prescribed for them. In other cases, Manatt took controlled substances from patients in excess of what they needed. Manatt’s false statements in the medical records resulted in billing health care benefit programs for controlled substances not actually administered.

After completing her term of imprisonment, Manatt will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Manatt was also ordered to pay $5,258.20 in restitution, a $5,500 fine and a $300 special assessment.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.