A 38-year-old paramedic has been arrested for allegedly groping and fondling a pregnant teenager in the back of an ambulance in January.
The 17-year-old girl was on her way to St. Francis Hospital, Tenn., when she was sexually assaulted by Joseph Hartsfield, who works for the Memphis Fire Department, MyFoxMemphis reported. Hartsfield, who was arrested and charged with sexual battery on Monday morning, is currently being held in Shelby County Criminal Justice Center.
During last month's trip, the teen was not only groped by Hartsfield, but the paramedic posed sexual questions as well as behaved in a "creepy" manner, according to the girl's account to authorities, excerpts of which were published by WREG.
At one point, the paramedic allegedly "lifted her breast and felt under her breast," the affidavit said of the girl's account, adding that "the victim stated the Defendant was acting 'creepy.'"
After reaching the hospital, the girl informed a St. Francis nurse in the labor and delivery department, who then contacted both the police and fire department.
Around 8 a.m. on Monday, Memphis police officers picked up Hartsfield at Fire Station No. 22.
"After he is released, the administration will determine his job status," Lt. Wayne Cooke, a fire department representative, told The Commerical Appeal.
Last year, Hartsfield faced a similar type of accusation, according to UK MailOnline. But after the department investigated the allegations of "forcible fondling," he did not face charges and neither did the fire department take any disciplinary action against him, a Memphis fire chief told investigators.
Hartsfield, who has worked as a firefighter and paramedic for the city's fire department since October 2008, has been charged with two sexual battery charges, with his bond set at $5,000, according to an inmate information page from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office.
Memphis Fire Director Michael Putt declined a request for an interview with FOX13 News.
