A registered nurse at a Wisconsin Veterans Affairs medical center allegedly removed a dying patient’s oxygen supply, reportedly telling a colleague it was easier to process death paperwork than falls paperwork. Beth Holtz, 53, is now charged with intentionally abusing a patient after she allegedly deprived a 75-year-old man of oxygen for approximately 90 minutes, causing him great bodily harm before he died six days later.
Background
The incident occurred on Aug. 17, 2025, at the Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tomah, Wisconsin. Holtz was assigned to the Hospice Ward, where the victim, a veteran suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, had a standing medical order for continuous oxygen. According to a criminal complaint filed by the Monroe County Sheriff's Department and the Monroe County District Attorney's Office, Holtz found the patient lying on the bathroom floor without his oxygen connected.
Police reports state that Holtz initially sat with the patient and briefly reconnected his oxygen, but then observed him appearing weak and seemingly dying. She allegedly told the man, "It is ok to go," before removing his oxygen supply again. During the roughly 90-minute period the patient was left without oxygen, a nursing assistant reportedly asked Holtz if she wanted the oxygen put back on. Holtz allegedly responded, "No, he's so close."
The Charges
Holtz is charged with one count of intentionally abusing a patient. The complaint alleges she "did intentionally abuse" the patient and caused him "great bodily harm" by depriving him of air from approximately 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Another nurse later discovered the patient with black-and-blue lips, struggling to breathe and reaching into the air. Once oxygen was restored, the complaint notes that the patient’s color returned and he began breathing normally.
During police interviews, Holtz claimed she believed the man was dying due to his appearance and behavior, stating, "I thought that he was gonna die at any moment." She also allegedly made comments about the ease of paperwork, saying, "It's easier to do death paperwork than falls paperwork." While she denied saying, "I was hoping he would die during my shift," she admitted to making the comment about hoping he would die for his own sake due to his struggling.
Holtz agreed to a polygraph examination, during which she allegedly confessed that "part of her did want him to pass sooner to be at peace." She characterized the incident as a "one time mistake" and stated she had not done this before. However, she also admitted she "should have known better" because the victim had been on oxygen "forever." At one point, she reportedly told investigators, "It really doesn't matter whether it's on or not. I mean, people are gonna die regardless if it's on."
Key Takeaways
- Beth Holtz, 53, was charged with intentionally abusing a patient at the Tomah VA Medical Center.
- The victim, a 75-year-old with pulmonary fibrosis, was allegedly deprived of continuous oxygen for 90 minutes.
- Holtz allegedly told staff that "death paperwork" was easier to complete than "falls paperwork."
- The patient died six days after the incident on Aug. 23, 2025.
- If convicted, Holtz could face up to 15 years in prison.
What's Next
The case is currently in the pre-trial phase within the Monroe County District Attorney's Office. As Holtz faces a charge of intentionally abusing a patient, the next steps will likely involve preliminary hearings to determine if there is sufficient evidence to bind the case over for trial. Legal analysts suggest that the defense may focus on Holtz's claim that she believed the patient was actively dying, challenging the intent required for the "intentional" abuse charge. Any upcoming court dates for arraignment or trial scheduling will be determined by the Wisconsin circuit court handling the prosecution.