RESPIRATORY THERAPIST ADMITS MOLESTATION

Associated Press/Allison Hoffman

Wayne Albert Bleyle, a 55 year old former respiratory therapist, pleaded guilty Tuesday tomolesting young, brain-damaged patients at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego where he workedfor 25 years. He admitted to eight counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child and four counts ofexhibiting a minor in pornography. He admitted abusing four of his patients, including a 2 year oldgirl. Two of the children have since died. Under a plea agreement, Bleyle would serve 45 years andeight months in prison. With credit for good behavior, he would serve at least 85 percent of thatsentence. He had faced a sentence of up to 165 years if he had been convicted in a trial. Bail wasdenied and sentencing is scheduled for July 25.

Barely a month after Bleyle's arrest, Christopher Alan Irvin, a 32 year old nurse at the time atthe same hospital was charged with molesting a comatose toddler patient after being traced throughInternet file-sharing networks. He pleaded guilty in September and was sentenced to 14 years andeight months in prison.

(San Diego, California)