Universal Health Services: Nurse Sentenced to 10 Years for Sexually Assaulting Teen Patient in Orlando Psych Facility

June 30, 2026

A former nurse at University Behavioral Health Center (UBHC) in Orlando has been sentenced to a decade in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl under his care, authorities said. Fernando Ortiz-Marrero received two consecutive five-year sentences for charges including lewd and lascivious touching of a minor and sexual assault on a client.

UBHC is owned by Universal Health Services, a large chain of for-profit psychiatric facilities infamous for putting profit over patient care & safety.

The case has drawn attention to vulnerabilities in mental health facilities, where patients—often in fragile emotional states—are entrusted to professional caregivers. According to court documents and the arrest report, the incidents occurred while the victim was involuntarily admitted to UBHC under Florida’s Baker Act, a law that allows for the temporary detention and examination of individuals believed to have a mental illness and who may pose a danger to themselves or others.

Prosecutors detailed a disturbing pattern of behavior that allegedly began soon after the teenager’s admission. Ortiz-Marrero reportedly initiated contact by flirting with the young patient. Over several occasions, he is accused of isolating her by taking her into a bathroom, instructing her to undress, and then groping and kissing her. The victim later described feeling “frozen” during these encounters, a common trauma response in situations of power imbalance and coercion.

The situation escalated on June 28 when the girl was alone. Investigators said Ortiz-Marrero approached her again and directed her into the bathroom, where he allegedly forced her to perform a sex act. The abuse came to light after another staff member at the facility reported suspicions, prompting an investigation by law enforcement.

Ortiz-Marrero, who had worked as a nurse at the center, was arrested and ultimately adjudicated guilty on the charges. His sentencing reflects the seriousness with which the court viewed the betrayal of trust inherent in his position. Healthcare professionals in behavioral settings are expected to uphold strict ethical and legal boundaries, particularly with vulnerable minors. Violations like these not only inflict immediate psychological harm but can have long-lasting effects on survivors’ mental health and trust in the medical system.

The Baker Act admission underscores the victim’s pre-existing vulnerabilities. Designed as a protective measure, the process is meant to ensure safety and access to treatment. Instead, the environment became the site of further victimization. Mental health advocates often highlight the need for robust oversight, including stricter background checks, continuous monitoring, and clear protocols for interactions between staff and patients—especially minors.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by patients in residential treatment facilities. Sexual misconduct by caregivers remains a serious concern nationwide, with studies showing that individuals with mental health challenges or those under involuntary commitment may be at higher risk due to dependency on staff and limited ability to report abuse immediately. Families entrusting loved ones to such facilities expect the highest standards of care and protection.

Following the sentencing, Ortiz-Marrero will serve his full term consecutively, meaning no overlap in the sentences. Details on any additional penalties, such as sex offender registration or restitution, were not immediately available in initial reports. The victim’s identity remains protected due to her age and the nature of the crimes.

Local authorities and the facility have not released extensive statements beyond confirming the outcome, but the case may prompt reviews of staffing protocols and training at UBHC and similar institutions across Central Florida. Experts emphasize that swift reporting by colleagues, as occurred here, is critical to interrupting such patterns of abuse.

For the survivor and her family, the sentencing represents a measure of justice, though the emotional toll of the ordeal is likely to persist. Support services for victims of sexual assault, particularly minors in the foster or mental health system, play a vital role in recovery. Organizations throughout Florida offer counseling, advocacy, and legal assistance tailored to these circumstances.

As communities grapple with balancing mental health treatment needs and patient safety, cases like this highlight ongoing challenges in oversight and accountability. Law enforcement and judicial systems continue to send a clear message: those who exploit positions of trust, especially with children, will face significant consequences.

Source: “Nurse sentenced in sexual assault of 16-year-old patient,” WKMG News 6, June 27, 2026.