License of registered nurse providing home health care revoked following violations of public health code

The Michigan Board of Nursing Disciplinary Subcommittee of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) has revoked the registered nursing license of Judith Maria Sobol, R.N., 42, of South Haven, MI for “violating the public health code,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced.  

On June 20, 2022, Sobol, a registered nurse, allegedly appeared for her scheduled overnight evening shift to provide care to a 3-year-old ventilator dependent female child while being under the influence of methamphetamines. During the early morning hours, the child’s parents discovered Sobol incoherent and the child unresponsive and her trachea tube disconnected. Resuscitation efforts by the parents and medical personnel were unsuccessful. Sobol later admitted to Coloma Township Police Department Officers that she had injected methamphetamines on the day she came to work. Law enforcement then located two methamphetamine pipes and a small container of crystal methamphetamine in her purse.

Previously, the Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office charged Sobol with:

• Second Degree Murder; a felony punishable by life.

• Possession of Methamphetamines/Ecstasy, a felony punishable by 10 years.

“Sobol’s actions are an egregious violation of the public trust, and pose an imminent threat to the public’s health, safety and welfare,” said Nessel. “I appreciate LARA and the Michigan Board of Nursing’s swift and decisive action on this matter.”

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) transferred the file to the Department of Attorney General in November 2022. The Department of Attorney General issued an administrative complaint against Sobol and LARA summarily suspended Sobol’s registered nursing license. The administrative complaint alleges that Sobol’s conduct violated the Public Health Code, and more specifically constituted a violation of general duty, incompetence, lack of good moral character, and personal disqualifications consisting of substance use disorder and a physical or mental condition adversely affecting her ability to practice in a safe and competent manner. Sobol did not respond to the administrative complaint and was deemed in default. As such, the Board of Nursing Disciplinary Subcommittee issued an order revoking her license and imposing a $150,000 fine against her.

“Every day Michiganders put their lives in the hands of health care professionals, and they are entitled to safe and responsible care,” said LARA Director Orlene Hawks. “LARA is appreciative of partners like the Attorney General and the Michigan Board of Nursing to help ensure Sobol is held accountable for this tragedy.”

Sobol is currently being held in the Berrien County Jail on a $500,000 bond. A jury trial on the homicide and possession charges are expected to begin February 21 in Berrien County Trial Court.