Noteboom The Law Firm

Former Bay Pines Nurse Admits To Sexually Battering a Patient

Former Bay Pines Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center nurse Jeffrey Harris, 48, has been accused of sexual battery. Harris' accuser is a male patient in the mental health ward of Bay Pines, and was under Harris' care.

The alleged assault happened last December, according to the patient. There are still many things unknown, however. It is not known how officials were alerted to the accusation in the first place. Further, officials are still attempting to discover if Harris was fired or if he resigned, and when, exactly, his employment ended.

According to Bay Pines officials, once the patient accused Harris of the battery, Harris was no longer allowed any contact with any patients. Following the ban, Harris never came back to work. The patient accused Harris of sexually assaulting him three times while the patient was on medication preventing "him from making sound decisions," and added he could not physically stop the assault because of Harris' size.

When he was arrested, Harris admitted to the assault on the patient as well as numerous other assaults on other people, although it is not known if those assaults also occurred at Bay Pines. In his written confession, Harris stated he knew the patient was on medication but that he "could not control himself."

Bay Pines has since increased their security procedures. They also revamped other security protocols already in place to reinforce their dedication to patient safety.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.