Wash. mom accused in Pa. of taking ill son's drugs

A woman visiting her terminally ill son at a hospital unhooked his intravenous line, siphoned out a sedative using a syringe she stole from the hospital and injected herself with the drug, authorities said.

Karen Remsing, of Vancouver, Wash., also tried to reconnect her 15-year-old son's IV to him, which could have been harmful, police said.

Remsing's husband, Richard Remsing, told TV station WPXI that he and his son moved to Pittsburgh 10 years ago so the boy could be treated while his wife stayed in Washington to work. He said the boy needs an intestine transplant and is on life support.

Workers at UPMC's Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh found Karen Remsing slumped over a couch in her son's room, authorities said. The workers called police, who said they found used needles in the trash and blood on a counter in the room and on Remsing's clothes.

Remsing, 42, was charged Sunday with child endangerment, reckless endangerment, theft, criminal mischief and committing prohibitive acts including possession of prescription medication.

Remsing was being held in the Allegheny County Jail, and a preliminary hearing was set for Wednesday. It was unknown if she had an attorney, and a message left Monday at a Washington telephone number for a Karen Remsing wasn't immediately returned.

The hospital has barred Remsing from returning. A hospital spokesman didn't immediately respond to an e-mail sent Monday seeking an update on the boy's condition.