A male nurse is facing serious allegations of sexually assaulting a vulnerable female patient with dementia, according to local authorities.
Joseph Ratcliff, aged 63, was taken into custody on January 23 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has been charged with rape and sexual battery.
The charges stem from accusations that Ratcliff engaged in “sexual conduct” with a woman whose capacity to resist or give consent was compromised due to her mental or physical condition, as detailed in a criminal complaint referenced by WXIX.
Although Ratcliff is a registered nurse in Kentucky, he is not licensed to practice in Ohio. The alleged incident took place at Christ Hospital in Mt. Auburn.
Prosecutors from Hamilton County stated that the patient had just completed a medical procedure when Ratcliff reportedly entered her hospital room and assaulted her.
Authorities noted that Ratcliff had no legitimate reason to be present in the patient’s room at the time of the incident.
A witness reported Ratcliff to law enforcement and he was taken into custody the same day.
He is currently being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center on a $350,000 bond, records showed.
Joseph Ratcliff, 63, was charged with first–degree felony rape and third–degree felony sexual battery
Ratcliff was not employed directly by Christ Hospital at the time of the alleged rape, according to prosecutors. He was assigned to work there as a nurse for healthcare company DaVita
Ratcliff was not employed directly by Christ Hospital when the alleged rape took place, prosecutors said.
He was assigned there as a nurse through DaVita, a healthcare company that provides kidney care at hospitals nationwide.
A spokesperson for DaVita declined to comment on whether Ratcliff was still employed, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
‘The safety and dignity of our patients is our highest priority,’ the statement said.
‘While we cannot discuss individual personnel matters, we took immediate action as soon as we became aware of this situation.’
Ratcliff has held a nursing license since 1995, according to the outlet. It was issued in Kentucky, where he resides in Butler.
The hospital also said they had notified law enforcement of ‘a possible crime’ at the premises.
‘The safety of our patients, guests and team members is the top priority at The Christ Hospital Health Network,’ a spokesperson for Christ Hospital said.
A spokesperson for Christ Hospital said that it had the Cincinnati Police Department about a ‘possible crime’
They added: ‘We thank our team members and the Cincinnati Police Department for responding quickly. Because this is an active investigation we cannot comment further.’
Ratcliff faces a first–degree felony rape charge, according to Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office records.
He was also charged with third–degree felony sexual battery after being arrested.
Ratcliff was held on bond of $150,000 for the rape charge and $200,000 for the sexual battery charge, with no percentage reductions allowed.
Both charges involve allegations that the victim’s ability to consent was impaired due to her mental condition.
Inmate records also indicated that Ratcliff had a hold placed on him.
This means another agency or court is claiming him, so he cannot leave jail even if he posts bail.
The patient had undergone a medical procedure when Ratcliff allegedly assaulted her (File photo of a patient)
Ratcliff remains at the Hamilton County Justice Center and is scheduled to appear in court on February 2.
He has no listed ‘projected release date,’ as of Tuesday night. Records did not immediately list an attorney for Ratcliff.
Prosecutors do not believe there are additional victims, according to WKRC.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, the Christ Hospital Health Network and DaVita Kidney Care after–hours for further comment.
