Image sources: Brayan Alvarez-Ortiz, courtesy of Wake County Bureau of Forensic Services. UNC REX Hospital, © Google, via Google Maps.
A former nurse at UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina, Brayan Alvarez-Ortiz, has been arrested and charged with sexual offenses and kidnapping after patients reported being sexually assaulted during medical care. The alleged assaults occurred during separate hospital visits and involved patients recovering from surgery. The investigation remains ongoing and authorities believe there is a chance that there may be other victims.
Who Is Brayan Alvarez-Ortiz?
Brayan Alvarez Ortiz was a 28-year-old nurse who worked at UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC.
UNC Health Rex reports that Ortiz was hired in 2019 as an administrative clinical assistant whose role did not involve seeing patients. After he completed nursing school, he transitioned into a clinical nursing role in May 2025.
According to UNC Health Rex, “This individual has been terminated and is no longer employed by the organization.”
His nursing license was also summarily suspended by the North Carolina Board of Nursing following a hospital complaint.
How the Investigation Began
On November 19, 2025, a patient reported to a day shift nurse that after Ortiz removed his Foley catheter, he sexually assaulted him.
According to the Raleigh Police Department Lieutenant David Davis, “On November 21st, 2025, at approximately 11:39, Raleigh Police Department officers responded to 4420 Lake Boone Trail, Rex Hospital, following report of a sexual assault that had already occurred. The victim reported that a nurse had sexually assaulted them while they were coming under the effects of sedatives. During the course of the follow-up investigation, Raleigh Police Department detectives identified another victim associated with the case.”
Court records cited by CBS 17 allege that Ortiz “‘unlawfully confined’ the patient without consent for the ‘purpose of terrorizing’ and facilitating the felony sexual contact. It also describes the victim’s state at the time of the assault as ‘incapacitated.’”
Wake County Assistant District Attorney Kathryn Pomeroy said the first two victims did not know each other, were hospitalized during different weeks, and were recovering from surgery when the alleged assaults occurred.
Charges were obtained against Alvarez-Ortiz, and he was arrested at his house in Guilford County on December 10, 2025, and taken into custody. He made his first court appearance on December 11, 2025. That same day, a third patient came forward, reporting an alleged assault that occurred in late October 2025, leading to additional criminal charges.
According to Pomeroy, “It does appear this defendant was sexually abusing patients who were in an incredibly vulnerable position, having just undergone a surgery. Not only are they very serious crimes, but the breach of trust here was somebody who received that trust based on their position.”
Criminal Charges Against Alvarez-Ortiz
Ortiz faces multiple felony charges.
WRAL reports on his charges: “On Thursday, he was charged with four counts of sexual contact under context of medical treatment, second-degree forcible sex offense, four counts of first-degree kidnapping and four counts of sexual battery. On Friday, he was charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping, two counts of sexual contact under context of medical treatment and two counts of sexual battery.”
Ortiz was denied bond at his court appearance. His next court date is scheduled for December 31, 2025.
If you or someone you love may have been victimized by Alvarez-Ortiz, please contact the Raleigh Police Department at 919-996-2000 or reach them through raleighcrimestoppers.
UNC Rex Hospital’s Responsibility
The alleged assaults occurred while Brayan Alvarez-Ortiz was working as a nurse at UNC Rex Hospital, during periods when patients were sedated, recovering from surgery, and dependent on hospital staff for their safety.
While the hospital has stated that Ortiz was terminated after concerns were raised, that he was reported to the nursing board, and that they are cooperating with Raleigh police, those actions do not explain how he was able to abuse vulnerable patients during medical care.
The criminal case will determine whether Ortiz faces criminal penalties under North Carolina law. It does not examine whether UNC Health Rex Hospital fulfilled its legal duty to protect patients from foreseeable harm. Criminal proceedings focus on individual culpability rather than institutional failures
Civil investigations involving alleged abuse by medical professionals can evaluate whether healthcare institutions failed to protect patients, allowed conditions that enabled abuse, missed or ignored warning signs, or did not adequately supervise staff or enforce safety policies.
For survivors, civil action can be a critical path toward uncovering the truth, securing justice, and holding all responsible parties accountable.
Legal Options for Survivors of Medical Sexual Abuse
If you or someone you love believe you are a victim of sexual assault during medical treatment involving Brayan Alvarez-Ortiz, you are not alone.
Allegations that a hospital nurse exploited patients while they were sedated or recovering from surgery represent a profound and heinous abuse of power and trust.
Many survivors of abuse in healthcare settings are left confused or questioning what happened, especially when misconduct is misrepresented as medically necessary care or occurs while a patient is incapacitated. Speaking with a trauma-informed attorney can help you understand your rights and determine whether you may have the grounds for a civil case.
Our firm represents sexual abuse survivors in cases involving nurses, hospitals, and healthcare systems. A civil claim is separate from the criminal process and can help uncover what occurred inside the institution, examine failures in supervision or patient-safety practices, hold responsible parties accountable, and seek compensation for the emotional and physical harm caused.
We offer free, confidential consultations to help survivors understand their options and take the next steps toward healing and accountability. There is no obligation to move forward unless and until you are ready.
Contact us today.
