3rd victim comes forward after NC nurse charged with sexually assaulting patients in recovery room

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A nurse who formerly worked at UNC Rex Hospital is being accused of sexual assault by three patients. The alleged assaults happened while he was a hospital employee.

The nurse, 28-year-old Brayan Alvarez Ortiz, made his first court appearance on Thursday afternoon.

During his appearance, the District Attorney's office said a third victim has come forward with the same allegations against Ortiz. Raleigh police say the third victim says their assault happened near the end of October this year.

Wake County Assistant District Attorney Kathryn Pomeroy said in court that Ortiz was working as a traveling nurse at UNC Rex Hospital.

Ortiz allegedly sexually abused the two patients after they underwent surgery and were in the recovery room.

Pomeroy says the victims were assaulted weeks apart, and after his arrest, a third victim came forward.

"This defendant was sexually abusing patients who were in an incredibly vulnerable position," she said.

"Not only are they very serious crimes, but the breach of trust here was somebody who received that trust based on their position; it is incredibly significant."

Ortiz is being held without bond as more charges are pending against him.

Defense Attorney Seth Blum did not ask for a bond reduction.

"The reason that we didn't ask for a change in bond today was because other charges are coming down. The prosecutor announced that in court. And until we have a real picture of what's happening, it doesn't make sense to have a bond set yet," he said.

Blum was asked about the allegations and said, "It's very early days. There's a lot of information that's going to come out that we don't have yet. Once we have, it will be in a better position to comment on it."

We learned in court he could be facing other legal hurdles.

"I also believe he may be here in the country on a green card, so there's going to be additional issues he's going to have to deal with with immigration," said Pomeroy.

Ortiz's license with the North Carolina Board of Nursing was suspended on November 26th.

How the case unfolded

On Nov. 21, Raleigh police responded to the hospital about a sexual assault that happened at the facility on Lake Boone Trail.

The victim reported that they had been sexually assaulted by a nurse.

Detectives identified another victim associated with the same nurse while investigating the Nov. 21 report. Both alleged assaults happened while the patients were on pain medication, awake, and conscious.

On Wednesday, Dec. 10, 28-year-old Brayan Alvarez Ortiz was arrested by the Guilford County Sheriff's Office Fugitive Unit at his home in Whitsett, N.C.

Ortiz has been charged with

• Sexual contact under the context of medical treatment

• Second-degree forcible sex offense

• First-degree kidnapping (4 counts)

• Sexual battery (4 counts)

"We cannot confirm that there are other victims at this point, but there is a chance that there are other victims," said Lt. David Davis.

Who is Brayan Alvarez Ortiz?

According to UNC Rex, Ortiz, who is no longer an employee at the hospital, was hired in 2019 in an Administrative Clinical Assistant role and was not seeing patients.

He was promoted to Clinical Nurse in May 2025 after putting himself through nursing school.

Hospital officials say they immediately reported the first complaint to the nursing board and the Raleigh Police Department in November.

UNC Health Rex said in a statement obtained by ABC11:

"UNC Health Rex cannot comment on specific patients or employees due to privacy laws. In addition, this is an ongoing law enforcement investigation. We are deeply saddened and outraged by the nature of these allegations. Our hearts are with the patients involved and their families. We take all allegations of inappropriate behavior seriously. In those situations, we conduct our own investigations and cooperate with law enforcement. This individual has been terminated and is no longer employed by the organization. Our highest priority is always the health, privacy, well-being, and safety of our patients. We are grateful for law enforcement and the N.C. Board of Nursing for their cooperation in this matter. "

Confidential Lines for other reports

The Raleigh Police Department is asking anyone who believes they may have been victimized in this case to contact them at (919) 996-2000.

UNC Health Rex has set up a confidential reporting phone line where affected patients or family members can share information. Someone will contact them as soon as possible to discuss any concerns about this situation. The number is (919) 784-1800.