CARDIOLOGIST ARRESTED ON BATTERY CHARGES

A CARDIOLOGIST AT FAWCETT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN PORT CHARLOTTE WAS ARRESTED ON BATTERY CHARGES AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY TOUCHED THREE NURSES WHO WORK THERE INAPPROPRIATELY.  CHARLOTTE COUNTY DEPUTIES SAY 43 YEAR OLD CARLOS YEPES WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY LAST WEDNESDAY AFTER THE THREE NURSES HIRED AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT THEM.  THEY CLAIM YEPES TOUCHED THEM OUTSIDE OF THEIR CLOTHING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.  YEPES REPORTEDLY REMOVED HIMSELF FROM THE HOSPITAL WHEN HE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ALLEGATIONS BACK IN APRIL, WHERE HE WAS A CONTRACT CARDIOLOGIST.  HOSPITAL OFFICIALS ARE CONDUCTING THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION.  YEPES WAS CHARGED WITH THREE COUNTS OF BATTERY SINCE FLORIDA STATUTES SAY THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED OUTSIDE OF CLOTHING, MAKING THE CHARGES MISDEMEANORS FOR BATTERY INSTEAD OF SEXUAL BATTERY.  YEPES WAS RELEASED THURSDAY AFTER POSTING A $6000 BOND.