A 35-year-old mental health nurse, Michael Cabanalan, has been charged with second-degree rape and multiple sex-related offences after allegedly assaulting a 17-year-old patient at the Sheppard Pratt psychiatric hospital in Baltimore County, Maryland.
According to police, Cabanalan allegedly asked the teenager for her phone number and Instagram handle on September 4, before being seen entering her hospital room eight times in one night, where there were no surveillance cameras. Investigators said the victim, who has mental disabilities, was unable to legally consent to sexual activity.
Four days after her discharge on September 8, Cabanalan allegedly picked her up from her home and drove her to his residence, where he is accused of sexually assaulting her twice. The victim’s mother, who tracked her daughter’s location using an app, later confronted her, leading to the disclosure of the assaults.
Child Protective Services and police were notified on September 11, and Cabanalan was arrested on October 21. Sheppard Pratt said in a statement that the nurse was immediately suspended and later terminated following the allegations, adding that patient safety “is our first priority.”
Cabanalan is currently being held without bond at the Baltimore County Detention Center. Authorities have urged any potential victims or witnesses to come forward as the investigation continues.
