Bond set at $75,000 for suspect in alleged hospital rape

4/29/2014

BLADE STAFF

ProMedica Flower Hospital

Editor's note: The time the alleged rape occurred has been corrected to 10:15 a.m. April 1.

Jesse Lee Buck

A Toledo man suspected in an alleged rape of a hospital patient appeared via video in Sylvania Municipal Court today where he was ordered to remain in jail in lieu of $75,000 bond pending a court hearing Wednesday.

Jesse Lee Buck, 33, was arrested Monday evening, charged with rape, and booked into the Lucas County jail, police said. During today's hearing, the court ordered that he be assigned a public defender and appear Wednesday.

He had been arrested in the case in which a ProMedica Flower Hospital patient reported being raped at the hospital by another patient, Sylvania police said.

The incident occurred at ProMedica Flower Hospital on April 1, according to the report, which states that a 21-year-old woman, a Toledo resident, was forced to engage in sexual activity at about 10:15 a.m. April 1.

"ProMedica Flower Hospital is sorry and understands this is a difficult time for this individual. We are cooperating fully with the Sylvania Police investigation and our thoughts are with this person," ProMedica said in a statement released today.

William Rhodus, Sylvania Police Chief, said the alleged victim was a patient at ProMedica Flower Hospital. The patient reported to an employee that a male patient forced her to engage in sexual activity in a bathroom. A weapon was not used, police said.

ProMedica spokesman Tedra White said both patients were released April 11. They initially were on the same floor. After the hospital was alerted to the reported incident, the two were separated.

The incident was reported April 2 by Jeffery Nelson, a hospital employee. Police gathered an evidence kit as well as assorted clothing from the scene, the report states.

ProMedica Flower Hospital’s access to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement is currently in jeopardy because of an event in the facility’s psychiatric unit. Hospital and federal officials have declined to describe the incident that spurred the investigation, and would not comment on whether the alleged rape was a factor.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said Flower was “out of compliance” for patient rights. The order means patients who have Medicare or Medicaid coverage can’t use Flower after May 9 unless the hospital is able to correct the problem to the satisfaction of federal officials.