OC Hospital Worker Allegedly Drugged, Raped Patient
SANTA ANA (AP) — Orange County authorities have charged a hospital emergency room technician with drugging and sexually assaulting a female patient in her hospital bed.
The District Attorney's office said Friday that 27-year-old Francisco Ayala Jr. was charged with four felony counts related to the alleged sexual assault, including using anesthesia so the victim could not resist.
Police have said the incident occurred while Ayala was working the overnight shift at an Orange hospital and assigned to monitor the 33-year-old woman. She later reported the assault to the hospital.
Ayala, of Anaheim, is being held on $100,000 bail. If convicted of all counts, he faces a maximum of 24 years in prison.
He is scheduled for arraignment April 8. It is not clear whether he has hired an attorney.
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