ORLANDO, FL — A nurse at AdventHealth Orlando is facing felony charges including sexual battery on a physically incapacitated person after allegedly assaulting a disabled amputee patient and administering medication against her wishes in January 2025. Abedinecho Katue, 46, had his bond set at $75,000 following his arrest in early 2026, according to court records.
The alleged incident occurred on January 26, 2025, when Katue was working as a float nurse at the facility. According to charging documents, the victim was a young Black female patient recovering from surgery who had an amputated leg and a cast on her left foot. The patient reported that Katue entered her room and touched her inappropriately while assisting her with a bedpan, as reported by Orlando police. The victim described feeling "helpless" during the encounter due to her physical condition.
Audio recordings obtained by investigators captured Katue making inappropriate comments to the patient, including statements such as "I can't remember the last time I took care of such a young, Black, beautiful girl like you," according to law enforcement documents. The recordings also allegedly captured Katue telling the victim that his actions were "normal" and inviting her to Kenya multiple times during the encounter, as reported by multiple news outlets.
After the patient reported the assault to other hospital staff, Katue allegedly attempted to administer morphine through her IV line without her consent, according to the arrest warrant. Investigators believe this was done in an effort to sedate the victim after she disclosed the assault to others at the facility.
Investigation Delays
The case experienced significant delays between the initial report and Katue's eventual arrest. Hospital staff reported the incident to law enforcement on the same day it occurred, but the arrest warrant was not signed until February 13, 2026 — more than a year later. According to investigative reports by local media, AdventHealth's attorneys were repeatedly uncooperative with law enforcement subpoenas that were served on February 25, 2025.
Critical witness interviews with hospital staff did not occur until January 9, 2026, nearly a full year after the alleged assault, as reported by FOX 35 Orlando. During the intervening months, Katue remained at large before police located him in Ocoee, Florida. Officers reportedly spotted his white Range Rover on Orange Blossom Trail, which led to his apprehension.
Defendant's Background
According to nursing license records, Katue maintains an active Florida nursing license with no prior complaints on file. His license is set to expire in April 2026. Public records indicate that Katue is a Kenyan national who had built a substantial social media presence, with over 175,000 Facebook followers and activity as a TikTok influencer where he displayed his hospital credentials online, according to reports.
His arraignment is scheduled for March 16, 2026, at 8:15 a.m. in Orange County court. He faces charges of sexual battery on a physically incapacitated person and lewd molestation of a disabled patient. Katue is currently being held in Orange County Jail.
Hospital Response
AdventHealth issued a statement confirming that Katue has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal case. "Patient safety is our top priority," the hospital stated, according to reports. The facility did not provide additional details about internal investigations or policy changes implemented following the incident.
Federal regulations under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services require hospitals to report allegations of abuse to appropriate authorities and to protect patients from harm. Healthcare facilities must maintain systems to prevent, identify, and respond to abuse and neglect of patients.
Resources for Families
Patients and families who suspect abuse or neglect in a healthcare setting should contact local law enforcement immediately. The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center provides advocacy services for vulnerable patients and can be reached at 1-800-677-1116. Additional resources and information are available at https://ltcombudsman.org.
The Florida Department of Health accepts complaints regarding healthcare professionals and facilities. Families can also contact The Joint Commission, which accredits healthcare organizations, to report safety concerns.
Anyone with information about patient safety concerns at healthcare facilities should document incidents thoroughly, preserve any evidence, and report concerns to multiple agencies including law enforcement, state health departments, and facility administration.
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