Former Ottawa Hospital personal support worker charged with sexual assault
A former personal support worker at the Ottawa Hospital is facing a charge of sexual assault.
Ottawa police say the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit charged a man following an investigation into an alleged sexual assault that happened overnight between April 1 and 2.
"The accused was working as a personal support worker when he allegedly committed sexual assault against a vulnerable woman that was receiving care at the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus," said Ottawa police in a statement.
Erwin Blanco, 44, of Ottawa is charged with one count of sexual assault.
Police say Blanco worked as a PSW at the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus, General Campus and Riverside Campus from September 2020 to April 2021.
Investigators believe there could be other victims.
Police say Blanco is known to use the alias of Slater Mercado on social media.
"The Ottawa Hospital takes these allegations seriously. Ensuring the safety and security of our staff and patients is the hospital’s top priority," said the Ottawa Hospital in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
"The Ottawa Hospital is working closely with Ottawa Police Service in its investigation and encourages anyone with further information to contact OPS."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5944.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.