Chicago police investigating after woman says St. Bernard Hospital respiratory therapist sexually assaulted her during appointment

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago police are investigating after a woman says she was sexually assaulted by a respiratory therapist at St. Bernard Hospital.

Tiffany Washington, 46, has a long history as a patient at the Englewood facility. She was born there, as were her children, and has received treatment for asthma there throughout her life. This is why she was present at the hospital on the afternoon of January 27.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

“It was time to get respiratory breathing at one o’clock,” she said.

Washington said instead of helping her breathe, her male respiratory therapist took his pants down and forced Washington’s hand onto his genitalia.

“I jerked away, I was trying to get up to go to the door and get out. He pushed me in the bathroom, he locked the door,” Washington said.

According to Washington, she was sexually assaulted by a respiratory therapist in the bathroom. After the incident, she tried to seek help by calling out for nurses, but received no response. It was only when she went to the nurses’ station and demanded to see a hospital manager that someone finally paid attention.

“The manager came. He wasn’t concerned about nothing. He made it seem like it’s like if I was lying on something, on his on his employees,” she said.

Following the assault, Washington contacted the police, who took her to the University of Chicago Hospital for a rape kit examination. She is hopeful that the DNA evidence will tie back to the therapist. Washington is now speaking up to advocate for the therapist to face legal consequences and for St. Bernard Hospital to take responsibility for the incident.

“I want him to be prosecuted for this. I want Bernard to step up and, you know, admit that they was wrong, especially the manager, he totally didn’t act like he cared enough about my life,” she said.

In a written statement, a spokesperson for St. Bernard Hospital wrote, “As patient safety is our utmost priority, we took immediate steps to investigate the situation and we also are cooperating with the Chicago Police Department in its own investigation. Both investigations are ongoing at this time.”

While Washington waits for DNA results, the St. Bernard spokesperson could not say whether the employee has been placed on leave. The hospital said they cannot provide any more detail beyond what is in the written statement.

INTERACTIVE CRIME TRACKER: Track crime and safety in your neighborhood

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
When Is ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Episode 5 Release Date? When Do New TLOU Episodes Come Out on HBO?

“When Will The Next Episode of ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Be Released on HBO?”

The Last of Us Season 2 continues to follow Ellie (played by…
Ivanka Trump, Kylie Jenner, Meghan Markle and more stars celebrate Mother’s Day 2025

Celebrity Mothers Celebrate Mother’s Day 2025

On Mother’s Day 2025, a number of celebrities such as Ivanka Trump,…
California sheriff slams 'meritless' UCLA student lawsuit against police who dismantled anti-Israel encampment

Sheriff in California criticizes lawsuit by UCLA student over dismantling of anti-Israel encampment.

A California sheriff is condemning a lawsuit that he deemed “meritless,” which…
Another politician stunned to discover Trump has REVOKED visas for her and her husband

Politician shocked to find out Trump CANCELED visas for her and her husband

A second world leader has been notified that President Donald Trump’s administration revoked…
Pope Leo dishes advice to journalists, mentions AI challenge in first news conference

Pope Leo offers tips to reporters and talks about the difficulty of AI in initial press briefing

<!–> The worldwide reaction to the appointment of Pope Leo XIV Mary…
Family of mom murdered in ritzy DC suburb decades ago gets justice as perp nobody expected pleads guilty

Decades after a tragic murder in a wealthy DC suburb, the unexpected perpetrator pleads guilty, bringing justice for the victim’s family

A killer nobody expected has pleaded guilty in the 2001 murder of…
Chaos at America's busiest airport as ALL flights are grounded due to 'equipment failure'

Disorder at the busiest U.S. airport as ALL flights halted because of ‘equipment malfunction’

A ground stop has been ordered at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport on Sunday due…
Our Chicago: Donald Trump administration's US Department of Justice terminates grants to violence prevention organizations

Trump’s Justice Department in Chicago stops funding for groups working to prevent violence

CHICAGO (WLS) — The U.S. Department of Justice has recently stopped providing…
Zelenskyy agrees to meet with Putin on Thursday

Zelenskyy to meet with Putin on Thursday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to meet face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir…
Oh My: Jasmine Crockett Just Stepped in It Again With Comment About Who Donors Want In 2028

Uh-oh: Jasmine Crockett is in hot water for making another controversial comment about the preferences of donors in the 2028 election

Democrats can’t seem to stop the bleeding as they continue to wallow…
Blake Lively's style makeunder as she's seen after Taylor Swift is dragged into Justin Baldoni lawsuit

“Blake Lively’s Updated Look Revealed Following Involvement of Taylor Swift in Justin Baldoni Lawsuit”

Blake Lively was seen in New York City amidst the ongoing Justin…
Treasury Sec. Bessent Hints at Game-Changing China Trade Deal Breakthrough—Details Expected Monday

Treasury Secretary Bessent Suggests Major Breakthrough in China Trade Deal — More Information Coming Monday

According to @SecScottBessent, there has been a high level of productivity in…