By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
PLAINSBORO — A University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro employee is facing an assortment of charges for sexually assaulting an incapacitated female patient at the hospital, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Plainsboro Township Police Department.
Richard Smith, 40, of Princeton, has been charged with sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, criminal sexual contact and aggravated criminal sexual contact, said Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Plainsboro Police Chief Guy Armour.
Mr. Smith, who was employed as a patient care technician, allegedly lifted the 25-year-old victim’s hospital gown and improperly touched her, according to Mr. Carey and Chief Armour. The woman was incapacitated when the incident occurred.
An investigation was launched after hospital officials called police. The investigation was conducted by Detective Daniel Kanaley of the Plainsboro Township Police Department and Detective Deon McCall of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Mr. Smith began working at the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro in May. He had previously worked at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton Township, and at a private medical practice in Princeton.
Mr. Smith is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center on $200,000 bail.
The investigation is continuing, and anyone with information should call Detective Kanaley of the Plainsboro Township Police Department at 609-454-4912, or Detective McCall of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3652.
