Massachusetts General Hospital medical assistant accused of assaulting patient, conducting unauthorized exam

A medical assistant at a Massachusetts General Hospital facility is accused of assaulting a patient, according to the Suffolk DA’s office.

Leonardo Hernandez, 29, has been charged with indecent assault and battery after allegedly conducting an unauthorized exam on a patient.

Boston police on April 12 took a report regarding an incident at Mass General Dermatology.

The alleged female victim told police that she had gone to the unit several weeks before to seek medical attention. When her doctor left the room, a man knocked on her door and entered the exam room. The alleged victim recognized the man from previous appointments.

The man, later identified as Hernandez, asked her if she would like to have a skin exam due to a possible condition on her foot. She reportedly said if the exam was necessary, then she would like to have it. She hadn’t been informed of an additional exam, but assumed the doctor had requested it.

Hernandez gave her a hospital gown and left the room closing the door behind him. Hernandez then quickly re-entered the room before the victim had the opportunity to remove her clothes, the DA’s office said. He remained in the room as she took off her jeans and began examining her.

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“The victim said Hernandez went down to the floor and started touching her right leg, running the tips of his fingers up her leg,” the DA’s office said in a statement. “Hernandez then raised her undergarment exposing her buttocks and repeated this on the left side.

“Hernandez advised the victim he was conducting a normal exam and that he would need to check her abdomen with both hands,” the office added. “Hernandez then requested to see the victim’s breast. The victim declined. Hernandez requested approximately four times to see the victim’s breast before attempting to pull down the victim’s hospital gown. Upon the victim’s repeated refusals Hernandez left the examination room.”

The next day, the victim contacted her doctor to ask if she had ordered any follow-up exams. The doctor told the victim that she hadn’t, and that this type of exam is not within Hernandez’s job description.

“I commend this victim for speaking up when she determined that this situation was just not right,” Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden said. “All patients are entitled to safe and ethical treatment during their medical appointments.  Anyone jeopardizing a patient’s safety or abusing and exceeding their professional responsibilities will be held accountable.”

Hernandez, of Jamaica Plain, was arraigned on one count of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14.

He was released on personal recognizance, and ordered to stay away from the location of the alleged offense. He is due back in court on July 24 for a pre-trial hearing

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