Nurse In Brevard County Arrested For Sexual Battery After Inappropriately Touching Patient
By Space Coast Daily // May 6, 2019
Jose J. Cruz, 37, arrested on May 6
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – A male nurse was arrested Monday, May 6, after a sexual battery complaint was filed at Holmes Regional Medical Center by a female patient on May 2.
The nurse has been identified as 37-year-old Jose J. Cruz from Palm Bay.
The investigation by Melbourne Police has revealed that the victim stated Cruz improperly touched her during an examination on May 2 around 3 p.m.
“The safety of our customers and associates is a top priority,” said Pat Guerry, Health First System Vice President, Marketing and Communications.
“We are fully cooperating with authorities to assist in the investigation. The associate has been suspended pending the investigation.”
Police detectives spoke to the victim and say the victim was in the patient room for a “skin assessment” examination with a male nurse and a female nurse, according to the victim’s statement to police.
The victim says “the female nurse left the room shortly after the examination began leaving the victim alone with only Cruz.”
“Cruz utilized the time he was alone to manipulate the victim’s breasts and genitalia in a manner that exceeded the scope of the examination,” said Melbourne Police.
“During that time, Cruz was alone with the victim he exceeded the scope of the medical exam.”
Related Story:Arrests In Brevard County: May 6, 2019 – Suspects Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty
After making contact with Cruz the next day (May 3), police questioned Cruz about the incident. It was during the interview that police say Cruz corroborated “significant portions” of the victim’s statements.
Cruz was arrested on Monday and is currently being held in the Brevard County Jail for Battery and Sexual Battery (fondling).
Cruz will appear before a judge on Tuesday.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Detective Bynum at 321-608-6461.
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