MIAMI – A licensed practical Florida nurse is behind bars without bond after allegedly removing her elderly mother’s breathing tube in an ICU room at North Shore Medical Center, telling witnesses she wanted her to “go in peace,” authorities said.
Juansette Sabrina Green, 54, was charged with aggravated manslaughter of an elderly person after the Friday incident, according to Miami-Dade County court records. She is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and has pleaded not guilty. A public defender has been assigned to her case, and a court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
What Happened?
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by NBC affiliate WTVJ, Green’s mother was admitted to the hospital on May 5 with shortness of breath, and her condition worsened over time. On Friday, Green reportedly called her adult children to the ICU, saying their grandmother’s health was declining.
While in the room with family and other witnesses, Green allegedly said, “I’m pulling out,” and removed the intubation tube from her mother without medical authorization. An alarm was triggered, prompting hospital staff to rush in. Despite their attempts to intervene, Green reportedly told them not to resuscitate, insisting her mother should pass “in peace.”
The mother died shortly after the tube was removed.
Green then left the hospital but was later arrested at her home by Miami-Dade County law enforcement.
Background and Legal Status
According to state records, Green has been a licensed practical nurse since 2005 and has no previous disciplinary history. It remains unclear whether she was employed at North Shore Medical Center or another facility at the time of the incident.
Following her arrest, a judge found probable cause and ordered her held without bail.
Broader Context
This tragic case raises critical questions about end-of-life care, medical ethics, and the legal limits of family decision-making in clinical settings. While some jurisdictions allow for assisted dying under strict regulations, Florida does not permit euthanasia or mercy killing. Only licensed medical professionals acting under legal guidelines may withdraw life-sustaining treatment — and even then, only with formal documentation such as advance directives or DNR orders.
Green is facing a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
This case continues to unfold and is likely to draw intense public scrutiny as it moves through the court system.
