Police: 2 former Westmoreland Hospital nurses took, shared inappropriate patient images

Two former Westmoreland Hospital nurses are accused of taking and sharing photos and making recordings of patients without their permission, including one instance where police say a suspect superimposed co-workers’ faces on a photo of a naked patient, court papers show.

Greensburg police charged Peter Castellano, 36, of Pittsburgh and Melissa Tompkins, 36, of Baldwin with disclosing intercepted communications, criminal use of a communication facility, invasion of privacy and harassment. Tompkins also uses the last name Marsh.

Both of the nurses denied the allegations.

Independence Health System fired Castellano and Tompkins after an employee reported their alleged actions, according to a joint statement from Brian Fritz, president of Westmoreland, Latrobe and Frick hospitals; Dr. Carol Fox, chief medical officer of Independence Health; and Ken DeFurio, president/CEO of Independence Health.

“Independence Health System was shocked and outraged to discover egregious actions involving four of its Westmoreland Hospital employees, actions that contradicted our core values and standards of conduct,” they said in the statement. “We are grateful to the team member who reported this misconduct, enabling us to act swiftly. Upon learning of the situation, our leadership initiated a thorough investigation and involved law enforcement immediately.”

Police learned last month of a group text message thread among two nurses and two techs at the Greensburg hospital that indicated the suspects improperly treated patients, according to court papers. Messages obtained by police showed audio and video recordings and images of patients were sent in the thread from numbers belonging to Castellano and Tompkins, investigators said.

In some of those photos, patients were naked inside their hospital rooms, while others were partially clothed, police said. In one instance, Castellano is accused of superimposing co-workers’ faces on a photo of a naked patient.

Some videos showed the suspects antagonizing patients, including one instance in which a patient was crying, police said.

The patients were not aware of the photos or recordings and did not give consent, according to court papers. An estimated 10 patients were involved.

Police said the other two people involved in the messaging thread will not be facing charges.

During interviews with police, Castellano denied the allegations and Tompkins claimed that a photo of an elderly male patient with his genitals exposed was taken by a co-worker with her phone, according to court papers.

Castellano’s license as a registered nurse was issued in 2022, according to state records. A message left for him Tuesday was not immediately returned. He did not have an attorney listed in online court records.

Tompkins was licensed as a registered nurse under the last name Marsh in 2020, according to state records. Attorney Casey White said his client was aware allegations were circulating over the past few weeks.

“We steadfastly deny any wrongdoing on behalf of Ms. Tompkins,” he said, adding he looks forward to reading the criminal complaint.

Warrants were issued for their arrests.