PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Providence police say Rhode Island Hospital wouldn’t cooperate with a criminal investigation for several days after a patient claimed a nursing assistant sexually assaulted her.
The Providence Journal reports a woman told police on Feb. 4 that a nursing assistant fondled her. Police say she gave authorities the man’s first name and description.
Police say the hospital refused to identify the nursing assistant at the time. Maj. David Lapatin says police figured out the suspect’s identity without their assistance.
Hospital officials gave police the employee’s name on Tuesday following an internal investigation.
A hospital spokeswoman says the employee was placed on unpaid leave and then terminated for reasons unrelated to the legal investigation.
She acknowledged a delay in identifying the employee, and says the hospital is reviewing its practices.
