Three Moundsville women are facing charges after they tried to write fake prescriptions and get them filled at various pharmacies in Marshall County, police said.

Police said one of the suspects even went as far as to steal a doctor's prescription pad to commit the fraud.

"Someone got a hold of a physician's pharmacy pad, and they went about the task of forging prescriptions and going to the local pharmacies and passing them," said Moundsville Police Chief Tom Mitchell.

The suspects are 33-year-old Shauna Foster, 30-year-old Brooke Hayes and 22-year-old Mariah Parsons. All are charged with one count of attempt to obtain a prescription by forgery.


The investigation started when the doctor's pad disappeared. Officials said if it weren't for local pharmacies checking on commonly abused drugs, like oxycodone, being prescribed, the case could still be ongoing.

Investigators said two pharmacies received different fake prescriptions, creating enough suspicion for workers at both locations to call police.


"They had attempted to pass a couple of prescriptions, and one I believe they were actually successful in passing and getting drugs for that prescription," Mitchell said.


Police said when they confronted the women on separate occasions, the suspects gave a different story. One suspect said she didn't even go to a pharmacy to get a prescription filled, but Kroger pharmacy released its surveillance video and she changed her story.


Mitchell said his team of drug officers is busy, and the task force is growing.



"I've dedicated an officer to working on drugs. That's his sole responsibility. And he is bringing some of the officers on the department along because you just can't have one guy doing everything," he said.


All three women have been arraigned by a magistrate and have posted bond. They are scheduled to have a preliminary hearing in a few weeks. Officials said it's possible these cases could go before the next term of the Marshall County grand jury.

Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage.