Crime & Safety

Hospital Security Guard Accused of Sex Abuse Makes Court Appearance

Alberto Maldonado pleaded not guilty, local media reported.

A former security guard at Watsonville Community Hospital accused of sex crimes against an underage female patient pleaded not guilty to the charges in court Thursday afternoon, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported.

Alberto Maldonado, 23, also appeared in Santa Cruz County Superior Court in the morning and was appointed a public defender after he told Judge Paul Marigonda, "I used to work but I obviously don't anymore. I live with my mom."

Maldonado was arrested earlier this month after allegations surfaced that he had sexual abused a female "at risk" patient at the hospital, where he worked as a security guard. One encounter happened in early May, another on May 25, according to District Attorney Bob Lee.

The Sentinel reported that the girl was 14 and that Maldonado had sex with her on the night of May 9 and again on May 10. She then contacted him after she was discharged and they met up again May 25.


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