NAPLES, Fla. — The 28-day delay between sexual assault allegations against a Florida doctor and his arrest has highlighted issues with rape kit testing, advocates say, as two additional women claimed they were assaulted by the same doctor during that time period.
Eric Andrews Salata was arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting two patients while they were sedated. Since his arrest on Nov. 21, 12 additional women have contacted the Naples Police Department about criminal or suspicious behavior by Salata. He was found dead on Nov. 28 of a suspected suicide, according to the Collier County Sheriff's Office.
The woman said she"blacked out" and passed out a few times, waking up to him assaulting and raping her. After he was arrested, a third woman said that on Nov. 5 during a cosmetic surgery procedure, Salata engaged in non-consensual penetrative sex with her while she was under the influence of laughing gas, according to a police report.
"I think in a situation like this, where you do have a doctor who has access to lots of patients, you take that case seriously, and you rush that rape kit, it should be lights and sirens on that one," said Ilse Knecht, director of policy and advocacy for the Joyful Heart Foundation, which advocates for improved rape kit testing nationwide."Get it done quickly. And that can be done, and it should have been done.
Florida state Sen. Linda Stewart, who co-authored rape kit legislation in her state, defended Florida's rape kit laws, particularly the clearing of Florida's rape kit backlog. She further noted that even if the kit had been tested in 30 days, Salata still could have harmed his patients. Knecht added that the nature of Salata's abuse as a doctor is problematic given the trust inherent in a doctor-patient relationship.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Search expanded to find boaters who disappeared on trip from N.J. to Fla.The search is now covering most of the East Coast, officials said. The sailboat hasn't been seen in 10 days.
Read more »
Florida Senate passes property insurance overhaulTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Senate on Tuesday approved sweeping legislation that would overhaul the state's property insurance system, which has struggled due to insolvencies, high costs and major storms.
Read more »
DeSantis urging COVID investigation puts Fauci on defensive: 'What's the problem with vaccines?'On CNN Wednesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci reacted to Gov. Ron DeSantis’, R-Fla., request that the Florida Supreme Court probe the COVID vaccines.
Read more »
WSJ News Exclusive | Inside a Florida Beach House Where Dogs Can be DogsThe owners of this beach house on the Florida Panhandle wanted the perfect getaway for their family, as well as their three dogs. Hence the doggy bathtubs and dog-friendly swimming pool.
Read more »
DeSantis calls for Florida grand jury to investigate coronavirus vaccine 'wrongdoing'Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, during a panel about reported side effects of coronavirus vaccines, says he wants a statewide grand jury to investigate any 'wrongdoing' surrounding them.
Read more »