This Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012 photo released by the Hamden, Conn., police department shows Mark Powell, of North Haven, Conn., a paramedic arrested on charges he sexually assaulted a woman in the back of an ambulance. (AP Photo/Hamden Police Department)
This Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012 photo released by the Hamden, Conn., police department shows Mark Powell, of North Haven, Conn., a paramedic arrested on charges he sexually assaulted a woman in the back of an ambulance. (AP Photo/Hamden Police Department)
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) ? A paramedic sexually assaulted a woman as she lay unconscious and strapped to a stretcher in the back of an ambulance on the way to a hospital, police said Friday.
The 22-year-old woman, who had fallen and suffered a head injury at a holiday party, says she woke up to find the man assaulting her inside the ambulance on Dec. 25, according to Hamden police. She said she could not move because she was strapped down.
Mark Powell, 49, of North Haven, surrendered Thursday to face charges of first-degree sexual assault and unlawful restraint and was released on $25,000 bond. He did not respond to a phone message seeking comment, and it was unclear whether he had an attorney.
Powell's employer, American Medical Response, said he has been placed on administrative leave.
"This kind of behavior is an affront to AMR caregivers across Connecticut who provide high quality care to their patients each and every day, with integrity and compassion," AMR General Manager Charles Babson said.
Police responded to the report of the woman's fall around 3 a.m., and she was treated at the scene. She was allegedly assaulted en route to Yale-New Haven Hospital and contacted police after her release.
Hamden Police Chief Thomas Wydra said the allegations represent "outrageous and horrifying conduct" by an emergency medical professional.
"Our society places the greatest level of trust and confidence in its public safety providers, and the circumstances in this case reflect a tremendous breach of that faith. The victim in this incident demonstrated enormous strength and courage in bringing this complaint forward," he said.
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