Key Takeaways
- Joel Vega, a nurse in Palm Beach County, faces felony charges for allegedly sexually assaulting two patients at Palms Wellington Surgical Center.
- Investigators believe more victims may exist.
- Healthcare institutions have the legal and ethical duty to protect patients; failing to do so raises serious accountability concerns.
Nurse Arrested Following Patient Reports
A nurse in Palm Beach County is facing felony charges in two cases after patients reported sexual assaults during post-operative medical care.
Joel Antonio Vega, 34, of Lake Worth, worked as a nurse at Palms Wellington Surgical Center in Royal Palm Beach, Florida at the time of the alleged assaults, according to law enforcement records.
Court records show that following an investigation that included interviews with the patients and separate photo lineup identifications, Vega was arrested and booked into jail on Friday, February 20, 2026. He was charged with two counts of sexual battery and one count of misdemeanor battery. Vega appeared in court the following day, where bail was set at $25,000. He has since been released on bond, and conditions of his release require no contact with either alleged victim. His next scheduled court appearance is March 22.
Allegations Involving Knee Surgery Patient
One alleged incident involves a woman recovering from knee surgery on February 13, 2026, at the Palms Wellington Surgical Center.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the patient reported that while she was resting in a recovery bed after surgery with anesthesia, a nurse placed his hand inside her underwear and inside her dress and touched her inappropriately. She pushed his hand away.
The nurse allegedly assaulted her again, at which point she attempted to punch him. Authorities allege Vega then grabbed her hand and forced contact with his groin through his clothing.
The patient asked “to know the nurse’s name and age and she told him… that his behavior was unacceptable. She observed him making a facial expression that appeared unusual.”
Vega was charged with sexual battery and battery in this case.
Allegations Involving Wrist Surgery Patient
A second reported incident involved another elderly patient recovering from wrist surgery on February 5, 2026, at the same surgical facility.
According to a separate probable cause affidavit, the patient stated she was conscious but unable to move while recovering inside a curtained cubicle. The patient said that “he initially made her believe he was adjusting the sheets” when he was reaching across her. She then felt him reach beneath the hospital sheets and inside her underwear multiple times. The victim “stated she felt so shocked that she could not speak or react during the incident.”
According to the affidavit, the patient’s daughter expressed alarm and later, suspicion, after learning that the nurse had administered morphine during recovery despite the patient’s fear of medication and history of refusing even over-the-counter medications. She “asked the male nurse if her mother knew she had been given morphine, and the male nurse appeared to become uncomfortable and did not answer her. He stated it was standard procedure and then became quiet. [She] asked the male nurse if that information would be documented in the medical notes, and he did not respond.”
After leaving the facility, the patient disclosed the assault to her daughter. They later reported the assault during a follow-up appointment with the surgeon. Court records indicate the physician appeared shocked and distressed, which confirmed that the alleged conduct was not part of any standard medical procedure. According to court records, “[The victim] remained in disbelief that such an incident could occur during a medical procedure at her age. She stated that even when preparing to tell [the doctor], she was very upset and shocked about what the male nurse had done to her. She described what took place as, ‘Horrible’ and became visibly distraught.”
Detectives Believe Additional Victims May Exist
According to reporting by WPTV, investigators stated that after Vega’s arrest, a third alleged victim came forward. No additional charges have been filed at this time, and the investigation remains active.
Detectives believe additional victims may exist in the case of Joel Antonio Vega. If you or someone you know may have been a victim of Vega, please contact Detective L. Alvarez at 561 688-4147, AlvarezL@pbso.org. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS.
Palms Wellington Surgical Center Response
Palms Wellington Surgical Center has provided no public comment regarding the allegations and has not confirmed Vega’s current employment status.
Nursing License Currently Listed as Active
Public records from the Florida Department of Health list Vega’s registered nurse license (RN9567628) as Clear/Active, with no public disciplinary history listed as of February 25, 2026.
Licensing investigations are separate from criminal proceedings and may move follow a separate timeline.
Institutional Responsibility and Civil Accountability
For a medical professional to take advantage of a patient represents a particularly egregious breach of trust, as patients depend on healthcare providers for safety, care, and protection during some of their most vulnerable moments.
When abuse is alleged under these circumstances, the issue extends beyond criminal wrongdoing. It reflects a profound violation of the ethical and legal duties that uphold modern healthcare.
Criminal proceedings are designed to address individual conduct. They do not always examine whether broader institutional failures may have enabled abuse to occur.
Medical facilities have both a legal and ethical duty to protect patients.
Medical sexual abuse allegations raise serious concerns about oversight, supervision, and patient-safety protocols, particularly in environments where patients may be sedated, disoriented, or physically unable to protect themselves.
Civil investigations may examine whether warning signs were missed during hiring, whether vulnerable patients were left unsupervised, whether staff interactions were adequately monitored, and whether effective reporting and accountability procedures were in place.
Civil accountability can help uncover systemic failures, drive meaningful reform, and reduce the risk of future harm.
Support and Legal Options for Survivors
If you or someone you love was harmed by Joel Vega or by another medical professional, you are not alone. Survivors of sexual abuse in health care settings may be able to pursue a civil case against the institutions that failed to protect them.
Andreozzi and Foote represents survivors of institutional sexual abuse in Florida and nationwide and has extensive experience handling cases involving medical professionals and healthcare facilities.
Our team is trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and committed to helping individuals understand their rights and choose the path that feels the most empowering to them.
Your voice deserves to be heard, and our attorneys are ready to listen.
All consultations are free and completely confidential.
Contact us today.
Image sources: Joel Antonio Vega, courtesy of Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Palms Wellington Surgical Center, © Google, Google Maps.
