MRI technician charged with sexual battery on sedated patient at Florida hospital

A 42-year-old travel MRI technician was arrested in Brevard County after a sedated patient reported sexual assault at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital.

MRI technician arrested after sedated patient reports sexual assault at Port St. Lucie hospital

A 42-year-old travel MRI technician has been arrested after a patient alleged she was sexually assaulted during a scan at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital in Port St. Lucie, cbs12.com reports.

Gabriel Cruz was taken into custody in Brevard County on the evening of 16 September, facing a charge of sexual battery involving a physically helpless or incapacitated victim — a first-degree felony under Florida law.

The investigation was opened on 14 September after hospital staff reported that a 64-year-old female patient stated she had been assaulted during an MRI the previous day at the hospital on 1800 SE Tiffany Avenue. Police said the woman had been admitted for medical treatment and was administered medication prior to the scan that left her significantly drowsy.

Detectives identified Cruz as the technician assigned to perform the procedure. With the cooperation of the hospital, investigators obtained surveillance footage that, according to police, showed Cruz leaving the MRI room after the patient and disposing of materials. Those materials were subsequently recovered and tested, returning presumptive positive results for male semen.

Cruz had been employed at the hospital as a travel MRI technician since 24 August and was placed there through a third-party staffing agency, police said.

HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital issued a statement to cbs12.com: "We do not tolerate behavior that jeopardizes the safety or security of our patients. When this serious allegation was reported to us, we contacted law enforcement and ended the individual's assignment. We have assisted law enforcement throughout its investigation and remain focused on supporting our patient."

The investigation remains active.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)