Longwood nursing assistant accused of molesting patients gives up state license

LONGWOOD, Fla. — WFTV discovered a Longwood nursing assistant who was accused of molesting his patients gave up his state license.

Longwood police arrested Francisco Rodriguez two summers ago for allegedly exposing himself and groping two elderly patients at South Seminole Hospital.

WFTV also found out the charges against Rodriguez were dropped a few months after his arrest.

Despite that, new records show Rodriguez will not be allowed to come back to the hospital or any other hospital in Florida.

Court records show prosecutors dropped the case against Rodriguez a few months after his arrest on charges of battery on an elderly person and exposing himself.

Records also show that this month, Rodriguez voluntarily gave up his state license, instead of having it revoked.

WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said, "This (nursing assistant) is not getting off scot-free. This will send future employers a red flag."

Sheaffer said giving up a state license saves the state from the time and money of forcing someone to give it up.

That may give some patients relief, but since Rodriguez was never put on trial, he's still a free man.

Documents do not say why prosecutors did not move forward with the case.

WFTV