Another Victim Comes Forward After Nurse Accused Of Groping Patient
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) - A nurse already facing one count of groping a patient now faces a second count of unlawful sexual contact in Fort Collins.
Investigators believe that news of Thomas Moore's recent arrest has prompted another alleged victim to come forward.
Police say like the first victim, the woman reported that she was in Poudre Valley Hospital under Moore's care when he sexually touched her. The incidents reportedly occurred within days of each other, one in December 2013 and the other in January 2014.
"It was very similar to the first encounter with the first victim," said Kate Kimble, Public Relations Manager for Fort Collins Police. "The second victim was in the hospital, she was under his care at the time, they were alone when he inappropriately sexually touched her."
Kimble says the woman did not go to police at the time. It's unclear whether Poudre Valley Hospital, which is owned by UCHealth, was aware of the complaint at the time. UCHealth spokeswoman Kelly Tracer declined CBS4's request for an interview Wednesday but sent CBS4 the following statement:
"Patient safety is a top priority for UCHealth. All allegations of inappropriate conduct are taken seriously and carefully investigated, and disciplinary action will be taken anytime an employee is found to have violated our code of conduct or acted inappropriately toward a patient. UCHealth thoroughly investigated patient complaints, terminated the employee, and reported the nurse to the Colorado Board of Nursing."
Tracer has said Moore's employment with UCHealth was terminated in June 2015. One month later, Moore began working at North Suburban Medical Center in Thornton. He was a nurse there until being suspended, hospital Vice President Dan Welch wrote in an email earlier this month, after Fort Collins police notified them of pending criminal charges against Moore. Welch has not said exactly when Moore was suspended.
Moore's nursing license was suspended on Jan. 6, 2016. He has been out on bond since shortly after being arrested last month.
Police urge any additional victims to contact Dectective Dan Calahan at (970) 416-2051.
Lauren DiSpirito is CBS4's Northern Newsroom reporter. Follow her on Twitter @CBS4Lauren. Share your story ideas with her here.
