Male Nurse Arrested for Sexual Battery, Indecent Exposure, and Elder Abuse
Photo: Gabriel Arce
A male nurse has been arrested on suspicion of exposing himself and sexually abusing a 73-year-old female patient under his care.
The 46-year-old suspect, Gabriel Arce, had been a nurse and unit supervisor for over a year at South Coast Post Acute Facility in Santa Ana, where the incident took place.
“The victim reported that Arce exposed his penis and brushed it against her hand as he provided medical attention,” according to the release. “The victim was confined to a wheelchair and unable to leave the situation.”
In addition to the allegations made by the victim, a witness to the incident provided a report to Santa Ana police as well. Police investigation ultimately resulted in Arce’s arrest on October 8, 2020.
Arce was charged with sexual battery, indecent exposure, and elder abuse and booked at Orange County Jail. As of the October 14th press release, he was released on bail.
Arce had been employed at nursing facilities in Santa Ana and Long Beach since 2011, and police believe there may be more victims. Anyone with information on this suspect is asked to contact Detective Corona at (714) 245-8343 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.