ICU nurse charged with 6 felonies for alleged abuse, exploitation of patient

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WEST VALLEY CITY — An intensive care unit nurse faces six felony charges for allegedly touching a patient inappropriately and taking photos of her genitals with his cellphone.

Kelly Fred Lynn, 51, of Nephi, is charged in 3rd District Court with three counts each of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony, and sexual exploitation of a vulnerable adult, a third-degree felony.

The charges, filed Friday, allege that Lynn asked the woman if he could take photos of her breasts and genitals while he was providing care to her at the Jordan Valley Medical Center-West Valley Campus on Feb. 28.

"(The woman) stated she didn't know what to say to Lynn and thought he was kidding around with her. (She) feared that if she said no that it could escalate to her getting raped," the charges state.

Lynn allegedly later asked to take another explicit photo, saying that one of the initial pictures was blurry. The charges say he grabbed the woman's breasts "several times" while assisting her, including while helping her get to a bathroom.

The woman was previously checked into the hospital involuntarily "due to her overdosing on pills," which made her drowsy and "impaired during the assault," according to court documents.

West Valley City police later questioned Lynn, who told them he had lost his phone, a Salt Lake County Jail report says. A family member contacted police earlier this month to report explicit photos of a woman were discovered on Lynn's phone, according to that report.

West Valley police has asked anyone who believes they were also victimized by Lynn to call the department at 801-840-4000.

Robyn Rollins-Root, chief nursing executive at Jordan Valley Medical Center, declined to comment last week, citing the ongoing investigation, except to say the facility was cooperating with police.

Lynn's initial court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday. He is currently being held in the Salt Lake County Jail.

State court records show Lynn has prior convictions in Utah for assault and retail theft.