Key Takeaways
- Former Evergreen Health Monroe nurse Stephen Odingo is charged with four felony counts of indecent liberties and one misdemeanor count of assault after prosecutors allege he used his position to assault patients.
- Investigators allege that after a patient reported Odingo in July 2024, he continued treating patients and two additional women reported assaults in January 2025.
- The earlier complaint and subsequent allegations may be relevant to potential civil claims against EvergreenHealth Monroe.
Former EvergreenHealth Monroe nurse Stephen Tonny Odingo has been charged with four felony counts of indecent liberties by a health care provider and one count of misdemeanor assault in the fourth degree with sexual motivation for incidents that allegedly occurred between July 2024 and January 2025.
According to a Snohomish County affidavit, “While employed as a nurse for EvergreenHealth Monroe, Odingo took advantage of three separate female patients who were under his care at night. Odingo used his position as a nurse to assault his patients.”
Odingo is scheduled for an arraignment in Snohomish County Superior Court on October 7, 2026. KIRO 7 reported that he had not been booked into the Snohomish County jail as of October 2, 2026.
According to K5, “Prosecutors said they did not object to Odingo remaining out of custody on personal recognizance but requested several conditions, including no contact with the alleged victims or witnesses and that he stay away from EvergreenHealth Monroe. They also asked that he not treat female patients through employment under his nursing license unless his employer is aware of the charges.”
Allegations Against Stephen Odingo
Court records describe allegations involving three patients at EvergreenHealth Monroe between July 2024 and January 2025. The most recent allegation ultimately led to a police report, Odingo’s suspension, and an internal hospital investigation.
By that point, however, EvergreenHealth had already received two prior complaints involving Odingo, and hospital records indicate that he had been instructed to have another staff member present during certain “sensitive cares.”
Report Made to Police in January 2025 Alleging Sexual Assault
On January 22, 2025, EvergreenHealth Monroe’s chief nursing officer called 911 to report “a sexual assault disclosed by a current patient at the hospital…The suspect was identified as a nurse at the hospital, Stephen T. Odingo, [DOB 2/18/1965]. [The chief nursing officer] also indicated there was one additional recent complaint against Odingo and an older complaint regarding Odingo touching areas of patients that was not required by his duties.”
The officer was “also notified that Odingo had been suspended based on what has been reported to the hospital.”
According to the affidavit, the patient had been admitted to EvergreenHealth Monroe on January 19, 2025 and remained hospitalized through January 27. Odingo had been assigned as her overnight nurse on January 19 and January 20.
The patient had limited mobility because of her injuries and a recent shoulder surgery and was unable to freely move around her room or get out of bed to use the restroom, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit states that the patient used an external catheter during the day, but alleged that Odingo discouraged her from using it during his overnight shifts and instead offered to assist her with toileting and cleaning. The patient “thought this was a task typically done by the nursing assistants, not nurses. [She] also described a nursing assistant asking why the [external catheter] was not being used and Odingo claimed it was not working properly which [the patient stated was not the case.”
According to the affidavit, the patient had been prescribed cream for a post-surgical rash. Odingo allegedly went beyond applying medication to the affected areas and offered to apply lotion to her entire body, including offering to apply heavy lubrication to her genital area. He allegedly gave her a back massage, hugged her, told her, “‘Maybe you can take care of me sometime,’” and kissed her on the lips through his mask.
The patient alleged that on the second night, Odingo again insisted on helping with toileting and applying lotion. She said he squeezed both of her breasts hard enough to cause pain, then tried to hug and kiss her again after she began crying and questioning what was going on. The patient “stated she was able to tell Odingo ‘no’ and turned away from him.”
Odingo later allegedly touched her genitals inappropriately without warning or consent. The patient said she recognized that Odingo was performing several tasks usually handled by nursing assistants. She reported him to hospital staff after her surgery on January 21, 2025, and at that point he was removed from her care.
Following the report, EvergreenHealth suspended Odingo and began an internal investigation. According to the affidavit, Odingo submitted a resignation letter on January 30, 2025, while that investigation was underway.
After this first report was made, authorities spoke to the additional complainants.
Earlier Allegation from January 2025
According to the affidavit, a 47-year-old patient admitted to EvergreenHealth Monroe on January 17, 2025, told investigators that Odingo was frequently in her room during her first two nights at the hospital. She said he repeatedly hugged her, held her hand, and insisted on conducting a head-to-toe examination without explaining why. The patient alleged that Odingo asked her to remove her bra and then tried to remove it himself after she refused.
She said she repeatedly asked Odingo for a female nurse and that Odingo appeared frustrated when she would not allow him to examine the front of her body.
The patient said she initially believed Odingo’s hand-holding and hugging were “just him being kind.” But by the second night, however, “she realized his actions were inappropriate…[and] requested that Odingo be removed from her care.”
Allegation from July 2024
The earliest alleged incident occurred in July 2024, but was not previously reported to law enforcement.
According to the probable cause affidavit, a 49-year-old patient admitted to EvergreenHealth Monroe on July 21, 2024, told investigators that Odingo “insisted that she remove all of her clothing” and claimed he needed to examine her entire body because she had fallen, which she denied.
She alleged that he then grabbed and massaged both of her breasts in a sexual manner and reached inside the front of her underwear and touched her vaginal area. The patient “stated she had to physically cut herself off from Odingo to stop him. [She] refused all further care from Odingo and put her clothing back on. [The patient] described thinking she was going to be raped by Odingo or something bad would happen. The next day [she] disclosed to her fiancée what had occurred and Odingo was taken off her care.”
According to the affidavit, investigators later obtained EvergreenHealth Monroe records through a search warrant, which confirmed that Odingo was working on the dates involving each of the three patients.
Per court documents, “An internal email dated 07/22/2024 references a patient complaint involving Odingo. The email states that Odingo was questioned on the procedure for bladder ultrasounds and skin checks. Odingo denied that the patient requested a female. The email also states that Odingo was told he should have another staff person present for ‘sensitive cares’ with patients of the opposite sex.”
The later allegations raise questions about whether this precaution was followed consistently, or at all.
Police Later Approached Odingo for an Interview
The probable cause affidavit states that investigators contacted Odingo at his residence on October 2, 2025, for an interview and he initially agreed to provide a recorded statement. However, he ultimately declined and requested an attorney.
KIRO 7 later went to Odingo’s home seeking his response after criminal charges were filed. The station reported that another person entering the residence said Odingo would not comment. The person later returned outside and stood in front of the station’s camera as the crew attempted to record video of the home.
EvergreenHealth Responds to the Stephen Odingo Allegations
In a statement to KIRO 7, the hospital said, “‘EvergreenHealth Monroe’s top priority is the safety of our patients, and we value the trust our community places in the care we provide…‘The individual being charged is no longer employed by EvergreenHealth Monroe. We have and will continue to cooperate with the Monroe Police Department and the Washington State Department of Health. We are unable to comment further as this is an ongoing legal matter.’”
Stephen Odingo’s Washington Nursing License
Washington State Department of Health records show that Odingo has held multiple nursing credentials in the state.
His prior nursing assistant and licensed practical nurse credentials are expired. His registered nurse license remains active as of the time of this writing and is currently listed with a February 2027 expiration date.
As of October 6, 2026, Washington State Department of Health records show three open enforcement cases associated with Odingo’s registered nurse credential.
The Department explains “An open enforcement case is a case that has been approved for investigation or legal action by either the Department of Health or the overseeing board or commission. Not all complaints or cases are approved for investigation.”
During the course of our review, the number of open enforcement cases associated with Odingo’s credential increased from two to three. It is unknown whether all three cases are connected to the allegations involving EvergreenHealth Monroe.
Could EvergreenHealth Monroe Be Sued?
Depending on the evidence, civil claims may be pursued against EvergreenHealth Monroe for failing to protect patients from risks it knew or should have known about.
In a civil investigation, attorneys may examine whether a hospital had prior notice that an employee posed a potential risk to patients and whether it took reasonable steps in response.
A civil investigation may examine issues such as:
- Whether complaints, policy violations, or warning signs existed;
- Whether any complaints involving a health care provider were adequately investigated;
- Whether safety restrictions or monitoring requirements were followed and enforced;
- Whether additional safeguards could reasonably have prevented later harm.
Any civil claim ultimately depends on the full evidence, including internal emails, incident reports, personnel records, hospital policies, supervision practices, witness testimony, and how EvergreenHealth responded to concerns at each stage.
Civil suits give survivors the opportunity to pursue compensation for counseling and other costs tied to recovery. They can also expose systemic failures and drive reforms to better protect patients in the future.
Legal Options After Healthcare Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse by a nurse or other health care provider is a horrific abuse of trust. Patients rely on medical professionals when they are injured, ill, sedated, frightened, or otherwise vulnerable, and they should be able to receive care without being subjected to sexual exploitation.
If you or someone you love was subjected to sexual assault by nurse Stephen Odingo or another health care provider, you may have legal options.
Andreozzi and Foote represents survivors of sexual abuse across the nation. We have extensive experience with cases involving nurses, hospitals, and healthcare institutions.
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 source: EvergreenHealth Monroe, via evergreenhealth.com.
