Pittsburgh police investigate report of sexual assault at Western Psych
Share with others:
An 8-year-old patient at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic told an employee that a 14-year-old patient sexually assaulted her, Pittsburgh police said today.
Pittsburgh police major crimes unit Detective Joseph Simunovic said the incident happened Friday night in a children's playroom at the UPMC mental health facility in Oakland.
Both the 8-year-old girl and the 14-year-old boy who she said subjected her to forcible oral sex are patients at the facility, acting major crimes Cmdr. Kevin Kraus said.
An aide discovered the two, who did not know each other. When the aide walked into the sixth-floor playroom and saw the girl had her pants down, the boy told the aide he didn't do anything, police said.
Western Psych then notified the girl's mother who drove to the hospital from her home in Butler County. She picked up the girl and took her to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, where she reported the assault, Cmdr. Kraus said.
Medical personnel notified police.
Detective Simunovic said the door was closed, prompting the nurse to stop and check the room.
Police said they are in the process of trying to arrange interviews with family and hospital personnel, as well as a forensic interview of the girl.
The 14-year-old has been identified and remains at Western Psych.
The girl is currently in her mother's custody and the Office of Children, Youth and Families is involved with the case, police said.
First Published March 13, 2013 9:34 am
