Ex-Nursing Assistant Charged With Assaulting Patient

A former nursing assistant at Rhode Island Hospital has been charged with sexually assaulting a female patient.

Fifty-two-year-old Daniel Goncalves was arraigned last week on three counts of second-degree sexual assault. He was released on bail and ordered to have no contact with the woman. It's not clear if he has an attorney.

The 40-year-old woman told Providence police that a nursing assistant molested her on Jan. 28 during a hospital stay.

Police said hospital officials delayed identifying the nursing assistant until an internal investigation was completed several days later.

Police determined the suspect's identity without the hospital's assistance.

Officials say Goncalves was fired for reasons unrelated to the investigation. Police are investigating whether there are other victims.