MALE NURSE’S ASSISTANT FACES TRIAL FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING THREE FEMALE HOSPITAL PATIENTS IN THEIR HOSPITAL BEDS

MALE NURSE’S ASSISTANT FACES TRIAL
FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING THREE FEMALE
HOSPITAL PATIENTS IN THEIR HOSPITAL BEDS

*Defendant also charged with molesting his young female relative and her friend

SANTA ANA – A male nurse’s assistant faces trial tomorrow for sexually assaulting three women in the hospital recovering from surgery under the guise of performing routine care. The defendant is also accused of molesting two little girls, a relative and her friend. Alberto Miguel Otiniano, 54, Westminster, is charged with sexual penetration by foreign object of an unconscious victim, three counts of sexual battery on an institutionalized victim, continuous sexual abuse, and three counts of lewd acts on a child under 14, with sentencing enhancement allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child, lewd acts on multiple children, and committing crimes against a vulnerable victim. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Opening statements are scheduled to begin tomorrow, Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in Department C-38, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Otiniano worked as a nurse’s assistant at the West Anaheim Medical Center. He is accused of violating his position of trust and care by sexually assaulting three women when they were alone in their hospital rooms in the post-surgery recovery ward. On May 27, 2006, Otiniano is accused of going into the room of Jane Doe # 3, 65, under the pretense of performing routine personal hygiene care, such as changing bed linens and helping the victim freshen up. He is accused of taking off her hospital gown and powdering and touching her vagina. On June 7, 2006, Otiniano is accused of going into the room of Jane Doe #1, 68, under the same pretense and digitally penetrating the victim after disrobing her. That same day, Otiniano is accused of going to Jane Doe #2, 42, and removing her clothes. Once the victim was naked, he is accused of rubbing her inner thigh. The victim moved before the defendant reached her vagina.

Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 reported the assault to hospital staff while still admitted to the hospital. Jane Doe #3 sent a letter to the hospital after she had been discharged, also reporting the assault. Hospital staff reported the incidents to the police.

Otiniano is also accused of molesting a young female relative, Jane Doe #4, and her friend. Between January 1, 2000 and September 2, 2006, the defendant is accused of repeatedly molesting Jane Doe #4, when she was approximately five to 11 years old. During visits at the defendant’s and victim’s home, Otiniano is accused of touching the victim’s vagina and buttocks and lying on top of her.

On September 2, 2006, Jane Doe #4 invited her friend, Jane #5, 10, to her house. The defendant is accused of trying to kiss Jane Doe #5, stroking her hair, and touching her upper thigh. Jane Doe #5 immediately told her friend’s mother, who then asked Jane Doe #4 if she had ever been touched by the defendant. Jane Doe #4 told her mother about the ongoing molest and her mother called the police. 

Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.