A male nurse from Long Island has been arrested for taking illicit photos of a 17-year-old girl who was being treated in an emergency room, police said.
An employee at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center allegedly saw 35-year-old Nicholas Petrella take the girl's photo while she was unconscious on May 20, authorities said.
"It's obviously against the law," said Det. Sgt. John Diffley.
It's not clear whether police had pulled any photos from the phone, but investigators said they're examining the mobile device.
He was charged with unlawful surveillance and pleaded not guilty to the charges Friday.
His attorney, Matt Touhy, said his client denies the allegations.
"He's saying he handled his duties as a nurse and that this didn't happen," he said. "It's absolutely not true."
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Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center said it contacted police, but wouldn't comment on Petrella's job status. Police said Friday that he's been suspended from all work as a nurse.
