On Thursday, Georgia police arrested a nurse who allegedly raped an elderly patient last year.
The 73-year-old patient, who was admitted to Grady Memorial Hospital, reportedly died weeks after nurse support tech Chappell Lee, 56, assaulted her in October 2024. The patient died from unrelated health issues, but her family said her mental health significantly worsened after the attack, according to WAGA.
In addition to a civil complaint, Atlanta police charged that Lee entered the hospital room, closed the door, and raped the patient. Surveillance footage indicated that he stayed in the room for roughly 14 minutes.
An attorney representing the victim’s family, L. Chris Stewart, cited a police report that detailed how Lee told the registered nurse assigned to the 73-year-old that he would check in on her instead. The nurse reportedly remarked that it was uncommon for a support tech to ask to check on patients, according to WXIA.
The woman’s family also alleged that Lee would flirt with her. A day after the alleged attack, the victim reportedly told her family and recorded a video to be played at a potential jury trial.
“There’s also video evidence of him cleaning up the scene, taking evidence from the sheets, and getting rid of them,” Stewart told WXIA.
In a statement to WSB-TV, Grady Hospital officials said they immediately reported the allegations to Atlanta police — who, at the time, found no physical evidence of an assault.
Lee was charged with rape, abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a disabled or elderly person, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated sodomy, and tampering with evidence. He remains jailed without bond.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
Join Nancy Grace for her new online video series designed to help you protect what you love most — your children.
[Feature Photo: Atlanta police]
