Carrollton police arrested Ernest Ussin Jr., a former patient care technician at Carrollton Regional Medical Center in North Texas, after a patient reported that she woke up in her hospital bed while he was sexually assaulting her. Detectives say they believe there may be other patients who were harmed and are asking anyone with information about similar incidents to come forward.
When you’re in a hospital bed, you may depend on staff for some of your most basic needs. You should be able to sleep and recover without worrying about what might happen when someone enters your room. When a patient reports sexual abuse, the hospital’s response matters. So do the decisions it made about patient safety before the report.
Key Takeaways
- Police arrested Ernest Ussin Jr. on November 3, 2026, on a warrant for one count of indecent assault by a health care or mental health services provider, a state jail felony.
- Carrollton police believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information can reach the Criminal Investigations Division at 972-466-3293.
- Carrollton Regional Medical Center said it terminated Ussin’s employment and is cooperating with police. A civil investigation can examine what the hospital knew and how it protected patients.
What Carrollton Police Say Happened
On November 2, 2026, officers responded to Carrollton Regional Medical Center at 4343 North Josey Lane. According to police, the patient reported waking up during the alleged assault and identified Ussin, 46, as the technician involved. Detectives obtained a warrant and arrested him the following day. The hospital’s CEO said the hospital dismissed Ussin after learning of the allegation and is cooperating with law enforcement. The charge described in the police announcement is an allegation. Ussin is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Police Are Asking Other Patients and Witnesses to Come Forward
If you received care at Carrollton Regional Medical Center and believe Ussin harmed you, or if you have information about a similar incident, you can call the Carrollton Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at 972-466-3293. You can share what you remember, including where you received care, an approximate date, or who you told. If you want confidential support as you consider your options, Carrollton police list The Turning Point Rape Crisis Center at 800-886-7273.
When Can a Hospital Be Held Accountable for Sexual Abuse?
A criminal case addresses whether an individual committed a crime. A civil claim can also examine whether the hospital’s own actions or failures contributed to a patient’s harm. An attorney may look at how the hospital screened and supervised the employee, whether anyone raised earlier concerns, and how the hospital responded to any warnings it received. Staffing schedules, patient assignments, and internal complaints can help establish who had access to a patient and when. These are questions to investigate. The publicly reported arrest does not establish what the hospital knew or whether it was negligent.
A patient who comes forward has already done something difficult. They should never be made to feel responsible for figuring out how someone gained access to their room or whether anyone else raised concerns. Those are questions investigators and attorneys can pursue through records and witness interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Ernest Ussin Jr. arrested for?
Carrollton police announced that they arrested Ussin on a warrant for one count of indecent assault by a health care or mental health services provider. Texas law provides for a state jail felony when the relevant elements are proven, including that the act occurred during treatment or service and went beyond generally accepted practices for that care.
Can I speak with a lawyer while the police investigation is ongoing?
Yes. You can ask a Texas sexual abuse civil attorney about your options while police investigate. How Texas law classifies a claim can affect filing deadlines and procedural requirements, so an attorney can help identify which rules apply to your circumstances.
What information should I keep if I believe I was harmed?
If you already have discharge paperwork, patient portal messages, or notes about who you spoke with, keep copies. Approximate dates and the unit where you received care can help identify relevant records. You can speak with an attorney even if you have very little information in hand.
Speaking With a Sexual Abuse Lawyer About Your Rights
If you or someone you love experienced sexual abuse at Carrollton Regional Medical Center or another health care facility, Andreozzi + Foote can help you understand your civil options and what an investigation could look like. We offer free, confidential consultations.
Our trauma-informed attorneys are here to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand your options.
We encourage you to contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
Photos courtesy of Carrollton Police and Carrollton Regional Medical webpage
