A former male nurse at the Sturgeon hospital now faces two more sexual assault charges.
Last week local RCMP charged Eric James Christiansen, 48, with two counts of sexual assault on top of the three he already faces.
Cpl. Laurel Kading with the St. Albert RCMP said the charges stem from reports two new alleged victims have made following the initial media coverage.
“They are two separate victims who were not identified to us before,” said Kading.
The women came forward in late January and, similar to the previous alleged victims, they came to the hospital seeking medical treatment. The two new charges are connected to incidents that are alleged to have occurred in the spring of 2010 and in 2007.
Kading did not have specifics about why these two women had not come forward previously, but said victims often are hesitant to be the first to make a report.
“Some people hesitate to launch the investigation because they think they might be annoying or bother the police and that is not the case.”
Kading said the RCMP investigate any report they receive.
“We are certainly here to investigate these cases and no one should have to put up with inappropriate touching happening to them, especially by a professional.”
Kading said the timeframe of the 2007 charge does not impact the RCMP’s willingness to investigate.
“There is no statute of limitation on sexual assaults in Canada so even if they are dated we will still investigate them and proceed with charges if the evidence is there.”
Christiansen is no longer employed by the hospital. Alberta Health Services officials previously declined to comment citing the case is before the courts.
Christiansen will make his first court appearance on all five charges on Feb. 28.
