TOWSON, Md. — A former Sheppard Pratt nurse has been charged for allegedly raping a 17-year-old patient.
On Tuesday Baltimore County Police announced the arrest of 35-year-old Michael Angelo Eder Cabanalan.
According to charging documents, the victim was hospitalized from September 3-7.
The victim told investigators she met Cabanalan while admitted at the hospital.
"[Cabanalan] asked her why she was there and she told him that she had cut herself because of a boy," charging documents state. "Cabanalan told her that she did not need a boy, but that she needed a man."
The two continued to talk, with Cabanalan frequently visiting the patient's private hospital room, often times with the door shut.
During an investigative interview, the victim recalled Cabanalan asking "Are you going to kiss me?"
While the victim agreed to a kiss, charging documents describe multiple graphic physical encounters that followed.
"Cabanalan told [the victim] he had to stop coming into her room because the nurses told him to stop because [she] was going to accuse him of something."
After being discharged, Cabanalan allegedly picked the teen up at her home in Silver Spring, and brought her back to his place to have sex.
A phone tracking system alerted the victim's parent that she'd left the house, which pinged her to Cabanalan's apartment in Kenilworth.
After meeting, Cabanalan reportedly told the victim to delete his phone number and all of their text messages.
However, when Cabanalan brought the victim back home, her mom was there waiting.
"My mommy came in my room," the victim texted, for which Cabanalan responded "Dang, just tell her that you went to get fresh air."
Cabanalan then suggests they both "lay low."
"I think it's my fault," he texted, "Because I force you to see me."
The teen's parent told police she is "fully disabled," with a diagnosis declaring her "cognitively impaired due to intellectual disabilities."
When reached for comment Sheppard Pratt issued a statement, saying Cabanalan was terminated once they became aware of the allegations.
“The safety and well-being of those in our care is always our first priority and one that we take very seriously. When we were made aware of allegations against a former employee, we immediately reported it to law enforcement and appropriate agencies. The individual was terminated, and we have been working with the various agencies in their investigation into these allegations and will continue to collaborate with them. We are committed to a safe and therapeutic environment and continually review all procedures and safeguards to ensure the safety of those in our care remains a priority.”
Yet charging documents indicate Cabanalan tried quitting, claiming a family member was ill, requiring his return to the Philippines.
For now Cabanalan is being held without bail.
Police say there could be more victims.
Anyone with information can call 410-887-7720 or 410-887-8463.
