Fil-Am psych hospital worker arrested over alleged assault of patient with cognitive disability
- A 35-year-old Filipino American mental health worker in Towson, Maryland was arrested for allegedly r@ping a 17-year-old psychiatric patient
- Court documents say the victim, who has cognitive impairment, met the suspect during her stay at Sheppard Pratt last month
- Investigators detailed disturbing statements from the suspect, including comments that the patient “needed a man”
- Sheppard Pratt confirmed the employee has been fired and authorities are holding him without bond
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A Filipino American mental health worker assigned to a psychiatric facility in Towson, Maryland has been taken into police custody after allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old patient with a cognitive disability.
Source: UGC
Baltimore County authorities named the suspect as 35-year-old Michael Cabanalan, a former employee of Sheppard Pratt. He now faces multiple charges, including second-degree r@pe.
Detectives from the Crimes Against Children Unit executed the arrest following an investigation into allegations made by the patient, who had been admitted to the facility last month.
According to charging documents reported by WMAR 2 News, Cabanalan initiated contact by asking the patient why she had been admitted.
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When the woman shared she had harmed herself because of a boy, the suspect allegedly replied that “she did not need a boy, but that she needed a man.”
Investigators said Cabanalan then asked the patient, “Are you going to kiss me?” which reportedly led to a kiss and several inappropriate physical encounters.
Police noted that the victim’s parent informed them she is “cognitively impaired due to intellectual disabilities,” raising further concerns about consent and vulnerability inside the facility.
Sheppard Pratt issued a statement confirming Cabanalan's immediate termination and emphasized that the incident was promptly reported to authorities.
“The safety and well-being of those in our care is always our first priority,” the organization said, adding that it continues to cooperate with investigators.
Authorities also revealed Cabanalan attempted to resign, allegedly claiming he needed to travel to the Philippines due to an ill family member.
He remains held at the Baltimore County Detention Center pending further proceedings.
News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable to one's daily life. These stories are among those that people would be able to learn from every day, and apply them in their own lives. Crimes that happen to ordinary people are also those that many give attention to.
In other news, a 23-year-old lady rider, identified as Jessica, died after her motorcycle crashed into an oncoming van in Cauayan City, Isabela. Police investigation suggests the rider lost control of her motorcycle while driving at speed on an uphill road section. The victim sustained severe injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. The driver of the van is in police custody and faces charges of Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Hom1cide and Damage to Property.
Still in other news, Judge Carmela Rosario Pasquin died in a motorcycle crash in Cebu on October 22. Despite owning a car, she commuted by motorcycle to embody modesty and integrity. UP College of Law and the Supreme Court praised her for her dedication to public service. Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro hailed her as a model of humility and devotion to duty.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
