A male nurse is headed to prison after admitting that he had an inappropriate relationship with a female patient at the hospital.

A former Golisano Children's Hospital employee, 24-year old Joseph P. Carelli of Marcellus, said that the relationship he had with a 16-year old patient was consensual.  The victim was at the hospital for treatment last fall.

Carelli was arrested in December of 2013 and was charged with multiple counts including criminal sexual act, sexual abuse, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Syracuse City Court Judge Rory McMahon presided over a defense request to lower bail for Carelli once he was incarcerated.  That request was denied.  McMahon also put an order of protection in place to protect the 16-year old victim from Carelli, and ordered the media not to take pictures of Carelli.  The defense successfully argued that the contact between Carelli and the teenager was not forced.

He was sentenced to two years in prison and had to surrender his nursing license.  Upon release he will have to register as a convicted sex offender.

 

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