A 64-year-old patient reported to hospital staff that she had been sexually assaulted during an MRI at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital after medication left her significantly drowsy, according to CBS12 News. Port St. Lucie police later arrested Gabriel Cruz, the travel MRI technician assigned to the procedure, citing surveillance footage and physical evidence, FOX 13 Tampa Bay reported.
Hospital Staff Alerted Police the Next Day
The woman underwent the MRI and allegedly was assaulted on Sept. 13, and hospital staff notified Port St. Lucie police the following day, according to CBS12. Detectives identified Gabriel Cruz, a 42-year-old travel MRI technician, as the employee assigned to perform her scan. WESH similarly reported that Cruz was the technician assigned to the Sept. 13 procedure and that the patient had been given medication that caused significant drowsiness beforehand.
According to police information reported by CBS12, surveillance footage showed the patient entering the MRI room and Cruz leaving after her. Investigators also reviewed footage of the patient being taken toward her hospital room and of Cruz discarding materials that detectives later recovered.
Evidence Tested Positive for Male Semen
Port St. Lucie police crime scene investigators tested the recovered materials and obtained presumptive positive results for male semen, police said, according to CBS12. Cruz had worked at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital as a travel MRI technician since Aug. 24 through a third-party staffing agency, the report said.
The hospital said it contacted law enforcement, ended Cruz's assignment and assisted investigators after learning of the allegation, according to CBS12.
Arrest Came Three Days Later in Brevard County
Cruz was arrested in Brevard County on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 16, on a first-degree felony charge of sexual battery involving a physically helpless or incapacitated victim, according to CBS12. WPBF also reported the arrest and identified Cruz as a 42-year-old MRI technician.
Reports differ on Cruz's custody status after the arrest. TCPalm reported the Sept. 16 arrest, while CBS2 Iowa, citing online booking records, reported that he was released the following day.
Investigation Remains Open
The Port St. Lucie police investigation remains active, CBS12 News reported in its report. Fox 13 News reported that police have not said whether Cruz is suspected in any other incidents at facilities where he may have worked as a travel technician.
Port St. Lucie police have urged anyone who has been sexually assaulted to contact authorities immediately, saying a report can help law enforcement move forward with an investigation, according to ABC News 4.
Where to Report Suspected Abuse
For suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation involving an elderly person or vulnerable adult, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration directs people to contact the Florida Abuse Hotline. That guidance provides a reporting channel in addition to contacting local law enforcement about an alleged assault.
