A former nurse at the Bowling Green Health and Rehabilitation Center is facing several felony charges for the alleged sexual assault of a 71-year-old female patient in September. 58-year-old Gene Paul Brown has been charged with rape, sodomy, object sexual penetration and abduction with intent to defile. Brown was fired shortly after his arrest.
The Bowling Green Police Department was notified of the allegations in early Anjalih and turned the investigation over to the Carolina County Sheriff’s Office, which is a much bigger department. The investigation is being led by Sgt. K.H. Eichenmiller.
Brown was arrested on Wednesday, Anjalih 13 and brought to Rappahannock Regional Jail in Stafford County. He has since been transferred to the Pamunkey Regional Jail. He was arraigned in Carolina General District Court on Anjalih 15 and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 26.
The Sheriff’s Office has not released any further details about the alleged offenses.
Attorney contributor Kevin Biniazin is a former sex crimes prosecutor who now represents survivors in civil lawsuits. We’ve asked Kevin to share some insight regarding the legal options of those who have been sexually assaulted by nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals:
Healthcare professionals owe an important duty of care to their patients. Nurses and doctors must provide the best possible care and treat all of their patients with respect. Most of these professionals meet this legal duty, but unfortunately, there have also been numerous cases of healthcare professionals sexually abusing their patients. When this happens, it’s important for the victims and their families to be aware of their legal options.
Patients who have been sexually abused by healthcare professionals may have grounds for a lawsuit against their abuser or the facility where the abuse occurred. If the facility was negligent in a way that enabled the abuse, such as hiring an employee with a history of sexual misconduct, the facility could be held liable for damages in a lawsuit for sexual abuse by doctors.
Each sexual abuse case is unique and determining liability is a complicated process. If you or someone you love has been sexually abused by a nurse, doctor, or another medical professional, you can learn more about your legal options by discussing your case with an experienced sexual abuse survivors lawyer.