Arizona healthcare worker accused of sexually assaulting female patient while she was sedated
A healthcare worker, 38-year-old Xavier Uziel Perez in Arizona has been accused of sexually assaulting a female patient while she was under sedation. Perez was arrested in Scottsdale on Wednesday.
He has been charged in the alleged assault on a patient at the Integrated Pain Consultants in June 2018 near 96th Street and Shea Boulevard. The 48-year-old patient revealed to authorities that she was coming out of sedation while in the recovery room after receiving a back pain treatment when she realized that she was being assaulted by the disgusting healthcare worker. According to AZFamily.com, Scottsdale Police Officer Kevin Watts said, "She realized that something wasn't right, that she was being sexually assaulted."
"Obviously when you're coming out of sedation you're foggy so we were trying to put that together but she just knew something wasn't right," Watts continued.
The investigation lasted for many months and Perez was arrested when DNA evidence confirmed it was him, the police say.
Officer Watts added, "We're happy that we were able to bring it to this conclusion today. It was a timely process but hopefull,y the victim will get some justice."
"It is concerning and alarming because it is a position of trust. When you're sedated and coming out of sedation, you're obviously in a vulnerable spot and you trust those who are taking care of you," Watts continued.
Until he was arrested, Perez was still working as a transporter who helped to move patients at the pain clinic. A spokeswoman with Integrated Pain Consultants shared that Perez remained employed as the initial police investigation found no evidence of any assault.
"At that time, an investigation had taken place by Scottsdale authorities and video surveillance had been reviewed in detail. Scottsdale police found no evidence of assault, which led the executive team to make the decision that Xavier Perez would remain employed," the spokeswoman shared.
According to the police, Perez had himself admitted to the assault in an interview which took place after his arrest but had insisted at the time that he had only abused a patient.
He is currently being held in custody and it was not clear whether he had a lawyer to comment on his behalf. Scottsdale detectives shared that although it was a one-time incident, they are worried that there could be many other victims.