A 28-year-old nurse has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of sexual assault against sedated patients at UNC REX Hospital in Raleigh. Brayan Alvarez Ortiz of Whitsett faces charges that include sexual contact under the context of medical treatment (4 counts), second-degree forcible sex offense, first-degree kidnapping (4 counts), and sexual battery (4 counts). Raleigh Police Department responded to an incident report on Nov. 21 and subsequent investigation led to the identification of a second victim related to the allegations, as reported by CBS 17.
Details continue to emerge regarding the nature of the assaults. The News Observer shared that the NC Nursing Board suspended Ortiz's registered nurse license following the complaint, which detailed improper touching of male patients. Ortiz, who had been employed as a traveling nurse and joined the UNC Rex staff in 2019, has since been terminated from the hospital following these allegations.
Ortiz's arrest has caused UNC Health to issue a statement about the gravity of the situation. UNC Health spokesperson Alan Wolf stated, "We are outraged by the allegations, and our hearts are with the patients involved and their families." "We take all allegations of inappropriate behavior seriously. In those situations, we conduct our own investigations and cooperate with law enforcement. This individual has been terminated and is no longer employed by the organization," as captured in the report by MyFox8.
The Raleigh Police Department, via Lt. David Davis, indicated that there may be additional victims and is urging anyone with information to come forward. RPD trauma counselor Cortney Fisher provided reassurance to potential victims, saying, "We have support, resources for you, and we want to do so in the most trauma informed way. To feel like you have support and be able to move forward in any way that you feel, is the best move forward in your life." These sentiments were conveyed during a news conference and echo UNC Health's priority of patient safety and well-being, as reported by MyFox8.
In the wake of the charges, UNC Health has established a confidential reporting phone line to encourage anyone with relevant information or concerns to reach out. The number for this line is (919) 784-1800.
