CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said a paramedic employed by a Fort Mill emergency agency is accused of sexually assaulting a teen girl while she was in an ambulance for treatment earlier this year.
Police said during a Thursday afternoon news briefing that 31-year-old Akingbiwaju Joseph Opadele was part of a Fort Mill EMS ambulance crew that helped transport the 17-year-old victim to Atrium Health from Fort Mill after she suffered a medical episode on Jan. 17. CMPD said Opadele placed his hand inside the victim's pants, and that the treatment she required did not require that kind of physical contact.
Opadele was, at the time, the only person in the back of the ambulance with the victim according to CMPD.
Police said the victim reported what happened to hospital staff and received a sex assault kit and examination. After the kit was analyzed and witness testimony was considered, CMPD detectives found probable cause to charge him.
Opadele was arrested at his home in Kannapolis on March 7, 2023. He is now charged with sexual conduct under the pretext of medical treatment, which is deemed a Class C felony.
Opadele was released on the same day after making a $15,000 unsecured bond. During Thursday's news briefing, CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings railed against the low bond set for Opadele, noting the suspect was able to walk out of jail about a half an hour after being booked.
Jennings also commented on the alleged crime itself.
"To be taken advantage of in this sense is unthinkable to me," Jennings said. "It's difficult to imagine how that might feel to a parent, and the trust you basically lose to those who are here to protect you."
Jennings said he is working with officials to draft legislation called the "Pretrial Integrity Act" that would change how bonds are granted to prevent suspects from getting out so quickly.
Fort Mill EMS Chief Tim McMichael promised a full investigation into what happened and reaffirmed their dedication to patient safety during Thursday's news briefing.
McMichael added that in the agency's decades of service, this is the first time they’ve had criminal accusations against an employee while on the job.
CMPD is asking anyone who may have had a similar interaction with Opadele to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or leave tips online.
Advocate calling for change
Retired EMT Tom Billig told WCNC Charlotte he has never heard of a first responder assaulting a patient in his 30 years of service in Mecklenburg County.
"I don't know what the circumstance was, but it's very rare," Billig said.
Billig is director of the Mecklenburg and surrounding counties chapter of the North Carolina Association of Rescue and EMS.
Sexual assault survivor and advocate Crystal Emerick added abuse of power in the medical field is not so rare.
"It is people in power that we trust that abuse that trust to get what they want,” Emerick, founder of Brave Step, said.
The assault reportedly occurred while the victim was alone with the suspect in the back of the ambulance. Billig explained most agencies typically require passengers accompanying patients to sit in the front of the ambulance.
It's unclear whether the victim had anyone come with her during the ride.
Also, lack of staffing may contribute to having only one paramedic in the back. For security, Emerick thinks all ambulances should be required to have cameras. Billig said more agencies are beginning to install them.
"Having that camera would at least make a potential perpetrator pause before they actually did something," Emerick suggested.
When hiring staff, Emerick suggested agencies look into deeper background checks as well.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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