Paramedic linked to sex abuse in ambulance

PORTLAND, Ore. - A Portland paramedic was arrested Monday on sex abuse charges after allegedly assaulting a patient during a ride to the hospital over the weekend.

Police are concerned because the paramedic, Lannie L. Haszard, was at the center of a similar investigation last spring. But authorities didn't have enough evidence to bring charges in that case.

Haszard, 61, of Vancouver, is facing two counts of first-degree sex abuse.

Police said he responded to a call for medical help in an American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance Saturday. While riding in the back of the ambulance to the hospital, police said, he allegedly sexually assaulted the female patient. The woman called police about the assault after arriving at Legacy Emanuel Hospital.

Detectives investigated the complaint and arrested Haszard Monday morning.

Haszard, who has worked for AMR ambulance in Portland since at least 1999, was scheduled to make his first court appearance on the charges Tuesday afternoon.

Detectives are seeking information from other women who may have received emergency medical care from him while he was working as a paramedic.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Todd Prosser at (503) 823-9320 or Detective Vincent Cui at (503) 823-0466.

http://www.katu.com/news/local/12337806.html