Montco hospital aide charged with sexually assaulting teen he was assigned to protect

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) A 30-year-old medical aide is accused of improper contact with a 16-year-old at a Montgomery County hospital after the teenager tried to kill herself. 

Kaseef Festus of Havertown is charged with institutional sexual assault.

According to charging documents, Festus was an aide at Bryn Mawr Hospital. He was assigned to keep watch on a 16-year-old who was brought to the hospital after a self-inflicted wound.

The teen was staying in the ER while arrangements were being made as Bryn Mawr’s psychiatric ward only accepts adults.

According to the complaint, Festus admitted to inappropriate contact when he was asked by police. But he says he stopped it because he knew it was wrong.

Institutional sexual assault is similar to statutory rape — it covers anyone who is in charge of someone’s care, even if there is perceived consent.