SWFL.io - Local NewsCarson Zorn
•9/22/2026
A Fort Myers at-home nurse has been sentenced to 30 months in prison after pleading no contest to charges related to failing to properly monitor a child in her care in Cape Coral. An arrest report states that Sharlene Pflugrad was responsible for monitoring a child overnight on Sept. 15, when his oxygen levels dropped. The child's oxygen levels were not supposed to drop below 88%, but prosecutors said Pflugrad, a licensed practical nurse, allowed the levels to drop as low as 79%. Instead of contacting the boy's parents as required, she texted them, according to the report. Cape Coral police said video evidence showed Pflugrad turning off the low oxygen alarm. "I am angry. I am disappointed, but mainly I am sad," the baby's mother testified. "I am sad that my child has suffered unnecessarily and he is going to continue to suffer because of this." The child's mother testified her son's lungs are now scarred. She told the judge her son requires oxygen treatment three times a day following the incident. The attorney for the Cape Coral family, Justin Grosz with advocacy group Justice For Kids, said the family is grateful to law enforcement and the state attorney's office for their work investigating the nurse. "Cases like this pop up all over the country, maybe not necessarily involving criminal neglect charges just as frequently, but you certainly are seeing neglectful care for more than you should," Grosz said. "As inexcusable as what she did, it's not really surprising when you look at the history and, you know, home health agencies that are placing nurses into these homes have got to them properly train them, supervise, monitor all of those things to ensure the safety of the children that they're entrusted to care for." Pflugrad's defense attorney argued that permanent injury was not listed in the arrest report. Judge Bruce Kyle said he did find the mother's testimony on her son's injuries to be credible. According to the affidavit, Pflugrad was working with home healthcare group Aveanna at the time of the neglect. Aveanna representatives told police she was suspended without pay following the incident. Pflugrad initially pleaded not guilty but later changed her plea to no contest. The judge later denied her request to change the no-contest plea. Pflugrad apologized to the family during the court proceedings for not waking the parents up during the incident, but justified her reasoning as to why oxygen was not administered. "I was looking at it, and it always went back up," Pflugrad said, referencing the oxygen levels. "It wouldn't have hurt to give oxygen. I should have, and I should have went and got the parents, so I'm sorry about that." On Tuesday, Pflugrad was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by 30 months of state probation. Additionally, she forfeits the right to practice health care and must complete 100 hours of community service. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.