Local nurse gets delayed sentence in morphine case
Attorney Dana Harper, left, addresses 47th Circuit Court Judge John Economopoulos on Monday as she defended Jenna Leigh Furmanski. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
Jenna Leigh Furmanski, far right, appeared in the Delta County 47th Circuit Court before Judge John Economopoulos Monday. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
Attorney Dana Harper, left, addresses 47th Circuit Court Judge John Economopoulos on Monday as she defended Jenna Leigh Furmanski. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
Jenna Leigh Furmanski, far right, appeared in the Delta County 47th Circuit Court before Judge John Economopoulos Monday. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
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ESCANABA -- A registered nurse accused of stealing morphine from Christian Park Village, an assisted living facility where she was previously employed, appeared in Delta County 47th Circuit Court on Monday to discuss the terms of her delayed sentence.
In May, Jenna Leigh Furmanski pleaded no contest to one count of a controlled substance -- possession of analogues, a felony punishable by two years’ imprisonment and/or $2,000.
In exchange for Furmanski's plea, the Delta County Prosecutor's Office dismissed the initial charge of larceny in a building, a felony punishable by four years imprisonment and/or $5,000.
Judge John Economopoulos granted Furmanski a 12-month delayed sentence, meaning no sentence has been imposed and the charge remains pending while she complies with court-ordered conditions.
Under Michigan law, courts may delay sentencing for up to one year to allow a defendant “an opportunity to prove to the court his or her eligibility for probation or other leniency compatible with the crime and the defendant’s rehabilitation.”
On Monday, Furmanski was ordered to pay $848 in fines, fees and court costs. She did not address the court.
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Furmanski remains licensed as both a registered nurse and a licensed practical nurse. However, under the terms of her delayed sentence, she is prohibited from handling medication.
During Monday’s hearing, defense attorney Dana Harper asked the court to consider allowing Furmanski to handle medications that do not belong to her at some point in the future.
"Ms. Furmanski is not sure that she ever really wants to go back specifically to that field. She did have a love for it, but this whole situation has… there’s just some things that she has to work through. It’s just been hard for her," Harper said.
Furmanski is explicitly prohibited from handling others' medications during the period of her delayed sentencing.
Harper previously sought to lift the restriction in October 2025, when it was a condition of Furmanski’s bond. At the time, Harper told 94th District Court Judge Steve Parks that Furmanski’s employer, MediLodge of Munising, was aware of the pending larceny in a building charge and “would really like her back.”
Parks denied Furmanski's request to handle others' medication while the case was pending.
Delta County Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Wickman said in prior court hearings Escanaba Public Safety began investigating a suspected narcotics theft at Christian Park Village on or about June 16, 2025.
Nurses at the facility reportedly conduct a narcotics count during every shift change. During one of those counts, morphine was discovered missing.
Wickman said that a review of the logbook determined that the missing morphine related back to the defendant.
Wickman further told the court that Furmanski had been seen in the narcotics drawer and then went to the bathroom for a period of 15 to 20 minutes, after which narcotics were determined to have been missing.
Furmanski is scheduled to return to court in one year, when the judge will determine her sentence based on her compliance with the conditions of the delayed sentence. She could receive probation, jail time or other penalties at that time.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.