HIALEAH, Fla. – A South Florida hospital employee has been arrested on accusations that he raped a patient.
The crime was reported around 10:30 a.m. Monday at Southern Winds Hospital, a psychiatric care facility located at 4225 W. 20th Ave.
According to Hialeah police, Yadiel Perez Delgado, 34, entered a female patient’s room earlier in the morning and began making verbal sexual advances toward her.
The victim told officers that Perez Delgado partially closed the door and she ignored him and went into the bathroom.
She said he followed her into the bathroom and raped her.
According to the suspect’s arrest report, another patient staying in the same hospital room walked in during the incident and Perez Delgado left the room.
The victim then reported that she had been raped to a female mental health technician.
According to his arrest report, Perez Delgado denied raping the woman. Police said he admitted to digitally penetrating her but claimed that the incident was consensual.
Surveillance video from the hospital room corroborated the victim’s statements, authorities said.
Perez Delgado had only worked at the hospital for a month and a half as a mental health technician. His job was to check on patients every 15 minutes.
According to his arrest report, the hospital’s chief nursing officer confirmed that employees are prohibited from closing the bedroom doors of their patients’ rooms while providing care services.
Perez Delgado was arrested and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on charges of sexual misconduct at a mental health facility, sexual battery and false imprisonment.
Southern Winds Hospital CEO Ana Bovo released a statement Tuesday confirming that Perez Delgado has been fired.
She also confirmed that he is under investigation for a separate incident involving a second female patient. Details about that incident were not immediately released.
Below is Bovo’s full statement:
“Yesterday, there was an alarming report by one of our female patients of sexual battery committed by an overnight shift mental health tech at our psychiatric hospital. The matter was immediately investigated by our staff and reported to Hialeah PD for criminal investigation. The patient was also transferred to Jackson Memorial hospital for examination and treatment.
During the interview with the victimized patient, the detective was advised of a separate incident involving inappropriate touching of a different female patient the same mental health tech. This matter is now under investigation by Hialeah PD, as well.
Southern Winds Hospital is fully cooperating with both investigations and has terminated the alleged perpetrator.
We take pride in delivering high quality psychiatric care to our patients and are devastated by these reports and are focused on ensuring that these two victims receive the appropriate care and counseling.”