Nursing Assistant Accused Of Sexually Battering Patient at John Muir Medical Center

Nursing assistant Cody Baca, a 29-year-old Clayton resident, turned...

WALNUT CREEK (BCN)

A nursing assistant at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek has been placed on administrative leave after he was arrested last week on suspicion of the sexual battery of a patient at the hospital, John Muir Health officials confirmed today.

Cody Baca, a 29-year-old Clayton resident, turned himself in to police on Feb. 23 after a $105,000 warrant was issued for his arrest, Walnut Creek police said.

"The care and safety of our patients is always our highest priority and we take all patient complaints very seriously," John Muir Health officials said in a statement.

Hospital staff is cooperating with the police department's investigation, according to the statement.

Police first began investigating Baca in October when a patient reported being a victim of sexual assault.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office on Feb. 22 filed felony charges of sexual battery on an institutionalized victim and first-degree burglary against Baca, and he turned himself in a day later.

Walnut Creek police are asking anyone with information about the case to contact Detective G. Leonard at (925) 256-3523.