A contract nurse working at the Fulton County Jail has been arrested and charged with felony offenses after authorities alleged she smuggled contraband into the facility and maintained an inappropriate relationship with an inmate.
Naomi Marie Anthony, 34, was taken into custody following an internal investigation triggered by a handwritten note discovered by another nurse, according to court documents and law enforcement officials.
The note reportedly detailed requests for contraband, including marijuana and food, and referenced sexual activity at the nurses’ station involving an inmate identified as Antoine McCray.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office said the discovery prompted a broader investigation that uncovered what officials described as months-long misconduct, including repeated security breaches. Investigators allege Anthony provided tobacco products and other contraband to the inmate, accepted payments through Cash App, and engaged in an improper personal relationship while on duty.
Court records indicate Anthony faces a felony charge related to furnishing prohibited items to an inmate. Investigators also allege she received multiple electronic payments, including one transaction totaling $1,300, and that she purchased matching rings for herself and the inmate. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Anthony meeting with inmates at the nurses’ station and passing items concealed in containers hidden beneath white coverings.
In addition, an anonymous tip claimed Anthony concealed marijuana and an iPhone on her person to evade security screening, though those allegations have not been independently confirmed in court.
The case has drawn attention beyond Fulton County, resonating across nursing and correctional communities nationwide. Healthcare professionals working in jails and prisons operate under strict ethical and security standards, balancing patient care with institutional safety. Experts note that boundary violations in such environments can quickly escalate from ethical lapses into serious safety risks.
The American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics stipulates that nurses are obligated to maintain professional boundaries in all care settings. In correctional facilities, those standards carry heightened importance due to the potential for manipulation, coercion, and security threats affecting staff and incarcerated individuals alike.
Following Anthony’s arrest, NaphCare, the private healthcare company that employed her, confirmed her termination, citing a zero-tolerance policy for fraternization and contraband. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office also announced plans to strengthen contraband prevention efforts, including enhanced screening procedures and upgraded x-ray scanners at jail entrances.
Correctional health experts say the case highlights the need for ongoing ethics training and peer accountability. The National Commission on Correctional Health Care has long recommended regular education for healthcare workers in custodial settings to help them navigate the complex dynamics unique to these environments.
This case serves as a cautionary example of how quickly professional lines can blur and the consequences that can follow. Beyond potential criminal penalties, such incidents can jeopardize careers, undermine public trust, and compromise the safety of entire facilities.
