| For Immediate Release Case # 06NF2124
June 13, 2008 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MALE NURSE’S ASSISTANT SENTENCED TO
42 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING THREE FEMALE HOSPITAL
PATIENTS IN THEIR HOSPITAL BEDS
SANTA ANA – A male nurse’s assistant was sentenced today to 42 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting three women in the hospital recovering from surgery under the guise of performing routine care, and also molesting two little girls, a relative and her friend. Alberto Miguel Otiniano, 54, Westminster, was found guilty by a jury April 11, 2008, of 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 a true finding on the sentencing enhancement allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child and lewd acts on multiple children.
Otiniano worked as a nurse’s assistant at the West Anaheim Medical Center and violated 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 entered 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 took off her hospital gown and powdered and touched her vagina. On June 7, 2006, Otiniano went into the room of Jane Doe #1, 68, under the same pretense and digitally penetrated the victim after disrobing her. That same day, Otiniano went to Jane Doe #2, 42, and removed her clothes. Once the victim was naked, he rubbed 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 was also found guilty of molesting a young female relative, Jane Doe #4, and her friend. Between Jan. 1, 2000 and Sept. 2, 2006, the defendant repeatedly molested Jane Doe #4, when she was approximately five to 11 years old. During visits at the defendant’s and victim’s home, Otiniano touched the victim’s vagina and buttocks and would lay on top of her.
On Sept. 2, 2006, Jane Doe #4 invited her friend, Jane #5, 10, to her house. The defendant tried to kiss Jane Doe #5, stroked her hair, and touched 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 prosecuted this case.
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