An El Paso doctor was arrested after he allegedly sexually assaulted a University Medical Center patient who was being treated for an epilepsy episode, court documents state.
El Paso County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested Dr. Edward Allen Michelson, 69, on suspicion of indecent assault by a health or mental provider, court and jail records show. He was arrested on Sept. 30 and released the same day after posting bail, according to jail records.
Deputies responded to a report of sexual assault about 7 p.m. on Aug. 28, at UMC located at 4815 Alameda Ave. in the South-Central El Paso.
The victim told deputies that she was taken to the hospital after suffering an epilepsy episode. She added that she was "in and out of consciousness" when she saw
Michelson walk up to her bed, a criminal complaint affidavit states.
Michelson allegedly lifted the sheets and her hospital gown from underneath her legs and began to place both his hands on her private areas, the affidavit states. He was not wearing medical gloves.
The victim told Michelson in Spanish, "Porque me esta haciendo eso? Eso no es parte de la epilepsia," the affidavit states. It means in English, "Why are you doing this to me? This has nothing to do with epilepsy?"
She began crying and said that all medical staff needed to do was medicate her intravenously, based on her previous experience with frequent epilepsy episodes, the affidavit states.
El Paso doctor under investigation by UMC, Texas Tech
Michelson is a contracted medical provider and does not work for University Medical Center of El Paso, UMC spokeswoman Estefanía Morgan said in an emailed statement.
"The safety and well-being of our patients is our highest priority. Any allegations against our healthcare providers are taken seriously," UMC spokeswoman Estefanía Morgan said in an emailed statement. "This matter involves a contracted medical provider who is not an employee of UMC. Pending internal and third-party investigations, UMC took swift action to suspend this medical provider from the hospital. UMC is fully cooperating with and assisting in the investigation conducted by outside agencies.
"Because this is an ongoing investigation, we have no further comment at this time."
Michelson is identified in a criminal complaint affidavit as a professor and chairman of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso's Department of Emergency Medicine.
"TTUHSC El Paso is aware of the charge involving Dr. Edward Michelson. Dr. Michelson has been suspended from his university duties," Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso officials said in an emailed statement. "Because this is an ongoing personnel and legal matter, the university will not comment further at this time."
Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com and @AMartinezEPT on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso doctor arrested, accused of sexually assaulting patient at UMC
