BOSTON—A shocking incident has unfolded at Boston Medical Center, where a man accused of raping a fellow patient while she lay vulnerable in the emergency room has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges.

Barry Howze, 55, faces severe allegations, including two counts of rape and one count of indecent assault and battery on a person with a disability. Authorities report that the attack occurred overnight on September 14, while Howze was under a psychiatric hold, which should have mandated constant supervision.

According to court documents, Howze allegedly crept under the victim’s bed, stripped her of her call button, and assaulted her. The victim, who was paralyzed on one side due to surgical complications, was left helpless as the defendant allegedly threatened her with a chilling remark: “if they find me, they’ll find you.”

Despite the presence of hospital staff nearby, Howze managed to elude supervision not once, but twice, escaping the facility and returning two days later, only to be recognized by security.

This dramatic breach of safety at a medical facility raises urgent questions about patient protection protocols at Boston Medical Center. Judge Sarah Weyland Ellis highlighted the victim's extreme vulnerability, noting the “particularly vulnerable” nature of her condition.

Howze, who has a troubling history of criminal offenses ranging from drug charges to assaults, is now being held without bail as the court prepares for a pre-trial hearing on February 26. The community is left grappling with the implications of this disturbing crime, which underscores a failure in ensuring the safety of patients within healthcare facilities.