In Albany, NY, Caitlin Mullaney faced sentencing on Monday, receiving a six-month jail term for the 4th-degree grand larceny of a terminal cancer patient’s ring, a crime she admitted to two months prior. This sentencing follows her shocking act of theft, where she stole the ring directly from the patient’s finger while in the hospital. This incident, exclusively reported by NEWS10’s Zion Decoteau, has stirred considerable attention.
The story initially came to light last August when NEWS10 reported on Tricia Fitzpatrick, a terminal lung cancer patient. Fitzpatrick, who was undergoing a CAT scan at Albany Med in July, tragically had her ring stolen during her visit. She passed away on September 11, 2023. At her sentencing, Mullaney expressed regret to Fitzpatrick, wishing she could apologize face-to-face.
However, Mullaney’s subsequent comments seemed to downplay her actions, suggesting ignorance of Fitzpatrick’s condition, a stance that Judge Andra Ackerman found minimizing. Ackerman indicated a preference for a state prison sentence, highlighting the gravity of the offense.
The leniency in Mullaney’s sentence came at the behest of Kim Perrella, Fitzpatrick’s daughter, who, despite the pain caused by the theft, sought a lighter sentence for Mullaney. Perrella’s decision was influenced by her mother’s forgiving nature and her own experiences with family members struggling with addiction and other challenges.
Perrella shared the emotional toll the theft has taken on her, especially since Mullaney initially lied about the ring’s fate. The stolen ring, valued at $4,000 but sold for a mere $120, held immense sentimental value, symbolizing Fitzpatrick’s children, one of whom had passed away. It was a cherished possession Fitzpatrick brought from California to Albany, seeking closeness to her daughter during her treatment.
In court, Perrella expressed a profound desire to recover the ring, a sentiment echoed in the judge’s order for Mullaney to pay $4,000 in restitution and $375 in fines. Mullaney’s incarceration begins immediately at the Albany County Correctional Facility. Despite her initial deceit, aimed at protecting another individual possibly involved, Mullaney’s motives for the theft remain unclear. Meanwhile, Perrella notes a lack of communication from Albany Med regarding the incident involving their employee, Mullaney.