Board suspends Indianapolis blast suspect's nursing license

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WANE) - The Indiana State Board of Nursing temporarily suspended Monserrate Shirley's nursing license Thursday. Shirley, along with two others, is accused of causing the deadly Indianapolis blast back on November 10, 2012.

On January 11, Zoeller’s office filed a petition to temporarily suspend Shirley’s license with the board. Shirley agreed to the suspension. The agreement was voted on Thursday during a board meeting in Indianapolis.

Attorney General Greg Zoeller said Shirley's license suspension is effective immediately. The suspension will remain in place until the outcome of her criminal trial is known.

The fiery blast destroyed five homes, including Shirley's, and damaged dozens of others in the Richmond Hill subdivision in the far south side of Indianapolis.

The explosion killed Shirley's next-door neighbors, John Dion Longworth, a 34-year-old electronics expert, and his 36-year-old wife, second-grade teacher Jennifer Longworth. Shirley and Mark Leonard told investigators they were at a southern Indiana casino at the time of the blast.

On December 20, 2012, Shirley was charged in Marion County with murder, conspiracy to commit arson, and arson.

Zoeller said if Shirley is found not guilty, she could petition the board to be removed from the summary suspension. Zoeller and his office will work with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office to make a decision on whether a formal licensing complaint will be filed.