MIDDLE ISLAND, NY — A certified nursing assistant was arrested Friday after allegedly forcibly touching a disabled patient at a Middle Island rehabilitation facility, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.
Police identified the defendant as Kevin Lopez-Diaz, 23, of Farmingville. He was arrested at Surge Rehabilitation and Nursing, 49 Oakcrest Ave., at approximately 3:20 p.m. on September 19 following an investigation by Sixth Squad detectives.
According to police, the alleged incidents occurred on September 3 and September 4 and involved a 32-year-old disabled woman receiving care at the facility. Police said the patient later told another certified nursing assistant about the incidents, and that employee called 911.
The patient was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital on September 5 for an evaluation.
Lopez-Diaz was charged with Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree and two counts of Forcible Touching, police said. He was held overnight at the Sixth Precinct and was scheduled to be arraigned September 20 at First District Court in Central Islip.
Suffolk County Police are also asking anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Lopez-Diaz to contact the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652.
The charges are accusations. Lopez-Diaz is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.