Nursing Assistant 'Inappropriately Touched' Disabled Patient In Suffolk: Police

MIDDLE ISLAND, NY — A certified nursing assistant was arrested Saturday in connection with forcibly touching a disabled patient at a rehabilitation center in Middle Island, Suffolk police said.

A certified nursing assistant inappropriately touched a disabled patient on Sept. 3 and Sept. 4 at Surge Rehabilitation and Nursing on Oakcrest Avenue, and another certified nursing assistant was notified of the incidents by the patient and called 911, according to police.

The patient, a 32-year-old woman, was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital on Sept. 5 for an evaluation, police said.

Following an investigation by Detectives from the 6th Squad, Kevin Lopez-Diaz, 23, of Farmingville was arrested at the facility at around 3:20 p.m., according to police.

He was charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent/physically disabled person, a felony, and two counts of forcible touching, a misdemeanor.

He is being held overnight at the 6th Precinct in Selden for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on Sunday.

He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and was released with non-monetary bail conditions, online court documents say.

A temporary order of protection was issued, the documents state.

Patch has reached out to his attorney, Luis Diaz of Manhattan, for comment.

Police said that anyone who believes they are a victim of Lopez-Diaz, can call the 6th Squad at 631-854-8652.

This story will be updated. Check back later.