In a disturbing incident that has emerged nearly a year after it allegedly occurred, a nurse from Grady Memorial Hospital has been arrested for raping a 73-year-old patient.
Chappell Arnell Lee, 56, of Lithonia, was booked into Fulton County Jail on August 21, facing multiple felony charges, including rape, aggravated sodomy, aggravated sexual battery, abuse of a disabled or elderly person, and tampering with evidence.
Currently, he is being held without bond.
The arrest relates to an incident on October 10, 2024, when Eva Lay, who was receiving treatment for a heart condition, was assaulted while in her hospital room.
According to the Atlanta police and a civil complaint filed in Fulton County, Lee entered Lay’s room, closed the door, and committed the alleged sexual assault.
Investigators uncovered surveillance footage that showed him entering the room and remaining inside for approximately 14 minutes.
Tragically, Lay passed away weeks later due to unrelated health issues, but her family has noted that her mental health sharply declined following the assault.
Following the arrest, Lay’s family expressed relief that Lee is finally facing charges for the alleged crime.
Attorneys representing the family issued a statement expressing their sentiments.
They stated, “The family of Eva Lay is pleased that the Grady Memorial Hospital nurse who allegedly sexually assaulted her while she was a patient at the hospital has been arrested and charged for the horrific abuse perpetrated against her.”
In their statement, they portrayed Lay as a cherished mother and grandmother who deserved dignity and care.
Instead, they asserted, she was violated by someone who was supposed to help her on her road to recovery.
The attorneys commended the Atlanta Police Department for its investigation but criticized Grady Memorial Hospital for what they termed gross negligence.
“Grady Memorial Hospital failed in its legal and moral duty to protect one of its most vulnerable patients from this kind of unimaginable trauma,” their statement continued.
They expressed intentions to hold the hospital accountable for allowing such a violation to occur.
In July, Lay’s daughter, Zenitria Davis, filed a civil lawsuit against Grady as the administrator of her mother’s estate.
The lawsuit, initiated by the Greene Legal Group and Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys, accuses the hospital of various forms of negligence, including negligent hiring, training, and supervision, as well as inadequate patient security.
It was disclosed that Lee was working as a nursing support technician on Lay’s floor at the time of the incident.
Witness interviews revealed that he had been uncharacteristically attentive to Lay, frequently visiting her room and making personal comments about her appearance in the lead-up to the assault.
Detailed police reports indicated that Lay was capable of describing the assault from her hospital bed, and a sexual assault kit was collected afterward.
Footage from hospital surveillance allegedly captured Lee exiting the room with linens shortly after the attack.
This troubling case has gained significant attention, raising vital safety concerns for patients considered vulnerable within medical facilities.
Looking ahead, the family’s attorneys have confirmed their commitment to pursuing both the criminal case against Lee and the civil case against Grady Memorial Hospital with full vigor.
image source from：fox5atlanta
