Arizona Authorities Bust Kenyan Woman for Treating Vulnerable Hospice Patients Illegally

Law enforcement officials in Arizona have detained a Kenyan national accused of fraudulently representing herself as a certified registered nurse while providing patient care at multiple hospice centers across the state.

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Christine Nyambura Muturi, who goes by the name Christine Lewis, now faces numerous felony charges including forgery, fraudulent schemes, unauthorized nursing practice, and computer-related offenses.

Elaborate Deception Uncovered

Court records reveal that Lewis secured a position with Northern Arizona Hospice (NAZ) in Cottonwood this past August by presenting credentials that initially appeared legitimate. Her employment application portrayed her as an experienced healthcare professional with a background in hospice care and previous employment as a triage nurse at a Las Vegas medical facility from 2019 through 2022.

She described herself in application materials as a “compassionate and highly skilled registered nurse” with substantial experience in end-of-life care. Supporting her claims, she provided documentation that appeared to be a valid multi-state nursing license issued by Colorado authorities.

The Scheme Falls Apart

For the first several weeks of her employment, Lewis shadowed experienced nurses during patient visits as part of standard orientation procedures. She completed one independent patient assignment on August 15 before administrators began questioning the authenticity of her credentials.

A routine verification check revealed a startling discrepancy: the Colorado nursing license Lewis had submitted was issued four years before her birth date. While the name on the license matched hers, investigators discovered the actual license belonged to a woman 27 years her senior.

When contacted by authorities, the legitimate license holder stated unequivocally that she had never encountered Lewis and certainly had not granted anyone permission to use her professional credentials.

Confronted with these findings by NAZ management, Lewis submitted her resignation without delay.

Pattern of Deception Emerges

The situation took a more serious turn when NAZ administrators learned that Lewis had already obtained another nursing position at Golden Rose Hospice, located in Mesa. This discovery prompted NAZ to contact the Cottonwood Police Department, launching a comprehensive criminal investigation.

Investigators subsequently confirmed that Lewis had never obtained nursing licensure in any U.S. state, rendering all her patient care activities illegal and potentially dangerous.

Undercover Operation Leads to Arrest

On November 13, an investigator from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office conducted an undercover operation, meeting with Lewis while posing as someone planning to establish a new hospice operation. During this meeting, Lewis allegedly continued her deception by falsely asserting that she maintained an active nursing license.

This statement provided investigators with additional evidence needed to proceed with her arrest.

Lewis was apprehended at her residence in Mesa, located near the intersection of Crismon Road and Ray Road, on Tuesday afternoon. A judge denied bail following her initial court appearance, citing both the severity of the charges and her criminal background.

Previous Legal Troubles

Court documents indicate Lewis has prior arrests on her record, including a domestic battery case in Las Vegas and a separate fugitive-from-justice matter in Los Angeles. These previous encounters with law enforcement contributed to the court’s decision to deny her release pending trial.

Investigation Continues

Authorities have indicated that their investigation remains active as they work to determine the complete scope of Lewis’s activities at both hospice facilities. Prosecutors are reviewing whether additional charges are warranted based on the number of patients she may have treated and any potential harm that resulted from her unlicensed care.

The case has raised serious questions about credential verification processes at healthcare facilities and the potential vulnerabilities in the hiring systems meant to protect vulnerable patients, particularly those receiving end-of-life care in hospice settings.

Both Northern Arizona Hospice and Golden Rose Hospice have not issued public statements regarding their internal review processes or whether any patients experienced adverse outcomes during Lewis’s employment.

As the legal proceedings move forward, Lewis faces the prospect of significant prison time if convicted on the multiple felony charges filed against her.

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