A school health aide who worked in a Fairfax County public school has been indicted by a grand jury, accused of stealing student prescription medications that she was supposed to be dispensing to kids. The indictment was announced by county Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano.

Jennifer Carpenter, 45, the former school nurse, allegedly stole and used the prescriptions herself. She gave the children under her care over-the-counter pills or sugar pills to take instead, according to a police investigation. The thefts took place at Greenbrier East Elementary School and affected seven students over the course of five months, the investigation found.

“It is a gross breach of trust and safety when something like this happens, and we are committed to acting swiftly to ensure our children are protected,” Descano said. “This situation could have easily evolved into a medical emergency for any of the children affected.”

One of Carpenter’s health department supervisors first noticed that something was off with the amount of medications maintained for the students at the school in late May. Parents of one student reported that they had dropped off enough medication to last the school year, but the medication had already run out, according to reporting from NBC4. Carpenter was put on leave and has now been fired.

Police investigators believe that the prescription drugs the former school nurse stole included Ritalin, Adderall, and Focalin.

The Fairfax health department plans to implement some new policies to try to prevent theft, according to an emailed statement. The school health program will require parents or guardians and the receiving staff member to sign a form acknowledging the hand-off, and a copy of the form will be given to the parent or guardian of the child and the school administrator.

“We will also be increasing the oversight of the medication administration process in schools whereby public health nurses will conduct a weekly audit of medication,” said Dr. Robin Wallin, who directs the school health program in the health department. “This coming school year, parents will also be required to bring medication in the original pharmacy container, ensuring that the description of the medication on the container is the same as the contents of the container.”

Fairfax County Public Schools had not responded for a request for comment by publication.

Carpenter’s indictment includes two counts of possession of Schedule I or II drugs, seven counts of contributing to the delinquency or abuse of a minor, and one count each of obtaining drugs by forgery and adulterate or misbrand drugs.

If found guilty on all charges, Carpenter could face between three and 32.5 years in prison, depending on her prior criminal history, plus as much as $25,000 in fines.

This story has been updated with a statement from the Fairfax Health Department.