Former Nurse Accused In Another Sexual Assault
THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4) - A former nurse who lost his job after allegations surfaced that he groped female patients at hospitals across Colorado's Front Range now faces more charges.
The Adams County District Attorney's office says Thomas Moore, 44, fondled a female patient under his care while working as a nurse at North Suburban Medical Center in Thorton in November 2015.
According to court documents, the woman told police she had gone to the hospital complaining of a migraine. After Moore gave her morphine, she says she woke up to him groping her chest, the document states. Prosecutors announced felony and misdemeanor charges against Moore for the November 2015 incident on Tuesday.
Moore, who is already in custody at the Larimer County Jail on similar accusations, now faces a total of 11 felony and misdemeanor counts of unlawful sexual contact with female patients at hospitals where he worked over the last two years, in Fort Collins, Greeley, Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, and now, Thornton.
In many of the cases, according to court documents, Moore is accused of touching and kissing the women while they were heavily medicated, in and out of consciousness, and alone in emergency rooms. Some women reported to police that after they left the hospitals, Moore tracked them down on social media and sent them Facebook friend requests.
Some of the women, fearing they would not be believed or feeling embarrassed, did not immediately report the incidents, police have said.
A spokesman for North Suburban Medical Center sent CBS4 this statement:
"Thomas Moore began working at North Suburban Medical Center in July 2015. As standard process, we engaged a firm to conduct a background investigation, which includes contacting former employers, a criminal background check, and confirmation of training, certification, and state registration. We also conducted a pre-employment drug screening. He was suspended on December 21st when the Fort Collins Police Department notified us of the pending charges and later terminated. We are continuing to assist authorities in their investigation."
He did not comment comment on the most recent allegations against Moore.
Moore also face charges for incidents police say occurred at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins and other UCHealth-owned emergency rooms in Greeley. He has worked at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland and North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, among other hospitals.
Some of the companies who've hired him told CBS4 they performed background checks on Moore, but were unaware of complaints against him. Under Colorado law, the board that investigates complaints against nurses cannot disclose information while such complaints are being looked into.
Moore remains in custody at the Larimer County Jail.
Lauren DiSpirito reports for CBS4 News at 10 p.m. She covers breaking news and feature stories along Colorado's Front Range. Follow her on Twitter @CBS4Lauren. Share your story ideas with her here.
