Nursing assistant charged with raping elderly patients

PORTLAND, Ore. — At least five more women have come forward to say they were sexually abused by a nursing assistant at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.

KATU-TV reports that Adeladilew Mekonen pleaded not guilty in Washington County last month to charges he raped two elderly patients at the hospital.

He now faces 10 more charges of sexual abuse - one of them a felony, according to court records. His bail was set at $1 million.

All of the alleged acts took place in August and September of this year.

Providence is facing a $1.5 million lawsuit filed on behalf of an 87-year-old patient seeking damages for the alleged abuse.

Providence officials told KATU News they won't comment on the pending litigation, said they are cooperating with the sheriff's office investigation.