San Diego
A nurse’s aide pleaded not guilty Monday to sex charges involving a hospitalized 11-year-old girl in a coma.
Noel Sanchez, 22, of Clairemont, is charged with rape with a foreign object and child molestation.
Bail was set at $1 million by San Diego Municipal Judge Charles Patrick.
The alleged incident took place on Christmas Eve in a wing of the Alvarado Convalescent and Rehabilitation Hospital. The girl has been in a coma since an October car accident. She has since been moved to an undisclosed hospital, where she remains comatose.
A preliminary hearing has been set for Feb. 10. A bail review will be held Jan. 12.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Harry Elias said it has not been determined what object was used in the alleged incident.
The rape charge alleges that the girl suffered great bodily injury, which can add years to the sentence should Sanchez be convicted.
Elias said the maximum penalty Sanchez could face, if convicted, is 13 years in state prison.
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