RWJUH nurse charged with sex assault, lewdness

Mike Deak
Courier News and Home News Tribune
A nurse at Robert Wood Johnson Un iversity Hospital in New Brunswick has been charged with sexual assault at the hospital.

NEW BRUNSWICK - A nurse at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital has been charged with several counts of sexual assault, criminal sexual conduct and lewdness in connection with two alleged patient assaults, including a 74-year-old woman in the emergency room.

Wilber Hernandez, 29, of Perth Amboy, was arrested by the New Brunswick Police Department and Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office on July 13 and charged with one count of sexual assault-force/coercion, no personal injury, two counts of criminal sexual contact and one count of lewdness observed by others.

The first incident allegedly involved a 49-year-old female patient at the hospital and occurred Oct. 13, 2016, according to the state Office of the Attorney General.

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The second incident allegedly involved a 74-year-old female patient and allegedly occurred in the hospital emergency room, where Hernandez had been working, on June 29.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation is continuing and asked anyone with information on these incidents or others to call Detective Oscar Ayala of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3600.

“We are fully committed to providing a safe environment for our patients, visitors and staff. Our administration and staff are working in full cooperation with the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office,” the hospital said in a statement.

“The employee in question has been suspended, without pay. Per our policy, we are unable to comment any further on active police investigations and on any patient matters.”

Hernandez had worked at several other hospitals and medical centers in New Jersey, including the Jersey City Medical Hospital, Hackensack Regional Medical Center, St. Josephs Regional Medical Center in Paterson, Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick and Maxim Healthcare Services in North Brunswick, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Hernandez signed an interim consent order of voluntary surrender to be deemed a temporary suspension of his license July 18 that was filed July 19. The charges, if proven, would provide a basis for the Board to suspend or revoke his license, because convictions on such charges relate adversely to the activities of nurses as regulated by the state Board of Nursing.

The suspension of his license is temporary, pending the outcome of the charges. The Board of Nursing may take further disciplinary action after the disposition of the criminal charges. The surrender of his license is not considered an admission of liability.

"Nurses have a moral and professional obligation to conduct themselves professionally when caring for their patients. Sexual assault is one of the most egregious violations of that obligation,” said Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino. “When dealing with an alleged crime of this severity, immediate license suspension is an appropriate outcome to protect the public.”