Police said a Victoria care aide has been charged after alleged sexual assaults at Aberdeen Hospital.
A Victoria care aide is facing multiple sexual assault charges after alleged incidents involving three people at Aberdeen Hospital.
Amado Ceniza, a 39-year-old man from Saanich, is facing four charges of sexual assault as well as four counts of sexual exploitation of a person with a disability.
According to Victoria police, Ceniza was employed as a health care aide at a facility in the 1400-block of Hillside Avenue and the incidents were alleged to have occurred at the same location. Staff at the facility reported the alleged offences to police once they were made aware of them.
On July 20, an Aberdeen Hospital resident told CHEK News that police had been called earlier that week to attend to the facility to investigate sexual assaults. Victoria police and Island Health will not confirm Aberdeen Hospital is the facility where the alleged assaults take place.
Police said Ceniza was immediately suspended as soon as the allegations were made and has not had access to patients at the facility. Investigators said they have spoken with three victims but suspect there could be more.
Island Health said they are co-operating and confirmed that when they were notified of the allegations last week, Ceniza was suspended while the preliminary investigation was underway.
“Our clients and residents are like family to us. We are very appreciative of those who have bravely come forward, together with their families. We continue to have supports in place for residents, clients and staff who have been impacted since these allegations have come to light,” the statement read.
Ceniza has appeared before a justice of the peace and has been released on bail with the following conditions:
- No contact or communications with the alleged victims,
- He is not to be within a 200-metre radius of the Hillside Avenue facility,
- He is not to be alone in the presence of anyone in a vulnerable population, including the elderly, anyone under the age of 18 years, or anyone who is physically or mentally disabled,
- He must not work, volunteer, or engage in any activity in a care aide or nursing capacity, or in any position of trust involving anyone in a vulnerable population, including the elderly anyone under the age of 18yearsr, or anyone who is physically or mentally disabled,
- He must not be in any care facility or home for a vulnerable population, including the elderly, anyone under the age of 18 years or anyone who is physically or mentally disabled,
- To report to a bail supervisor and advise of changes of employment or residence.
Anyone who may have been assaulted is asked to call the VicPD non-emergency line at 250-995-7654. Sexual assault can also be reported to a doctor, nurse or other health care provider at an emergency room, through the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre by calling (250) 383-3232 or through the Men’s Trauma Centre by calling (250) 381-6367.
Alexa Huffman
