Officials Say Fla. Nurse Raped, Threatened Patient
The nurse has been fired from the hospital and the incident is being investigated by local police.
Cape Coral Hospital has nearly 300 beds and sees more than 55,000 patients annually.
An investigation has begun into a Florida nurse who authorities say raped a patient in July.
The Florida Department of Health has restricted the medical license of former Cape Coral Hospital nurse Jeovanni Hechevarria, who has not been criminally charged, according to news-press.com.
According to the department’s report, Hechevarria entered a 43-year-old patient’s room July 15 and forcefully had intercourse with her without her consent. Hechevarria also reportedly told the patient not to tell anyone about the rape because he knew where she lived and threatened to rape her again the following night.
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Hospital staff members learned of the alleged incident the same day it occurred and Hechevarria was terminated the following day.
Now the Cape Coral Police Department is joining the hospital’s investigation. State authorities have prohibited Hechevarria from working with female patients without another licensed healthcare provider present.
Hospital spokesman Mary Briggs said in a statement that all employees go through a background screening process that includes a national and criminal records search.
“This is a very unfortunate situation, but the actions of this individual are not reflective of the excellent and professional care provided in our hospitals each day,” Briggs said.
Other details, such as the way employees learned of the alleged incident or the condition of the patient, have not been released.
Hechevarria could not be reached for comment.
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