Ex-hospital worker faces new patient assault charge

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A former x-ray technologist for Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital is facing a new sexual assault charge involving a third patient.

Francisco Muniz of Greenville was formally charged Tuesday morning with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct — the third case involving an emergency room patient at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the woman said she went to Blodgett Hospital’s emergency room on Jan. 17 for treatment. She said Muniz sexually assaulted her during her x-rays by inappropriately touching her body.

Muniz, 39, was charged last month with felony third-degree and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct for two other alleged assaults.

According to court records, on July 22, 2018, Muniz allegedly penetrated a patient with his finger while X-raying her in a room at Blodgett Hospital, telling her that it would “help with your pain.”

Six months later, another woman was seeking treatment at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital’s emergency room when she says an X-ray tech sexually assaulted her while she was getting an x-ray. That tech was later identified as Muniz, court documents show.

Target 8 discovered Spectrum Health was aware of the first case and the subsequent police investigation when the second and third incidents allegedly occurred.

In a statement to Target 8, Spectrum Health said in part, “We will take this opportunity to strengthen our practices and ensure that our patients are safe in our care.”

Spectrum Health says it’s cooperating with the investigation and Muniz is no longer employed by its organization.

Muniz’s next court hearing for the earlier charges is scheduled for Wednesday.

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