A sleeping hospital patient felt wet between her toes. A ‘sitter’ was arrested
Licking or sucking of feet can count as battery, if the owner of the feet isn’t a willing party. If Fort Myers native Frantz Beldorin didn’t know that before, he does now.
Beldorin, employed as a “sitter” at Fort Myers area Gulf Coast Hospital, was arrested early Tuesday on a charge of battery against a person age 65 or older. After being accused of acting as if the patient had popsicle toes, the 23-year-old Beldorin posted $1,500 bond.
An arrest report says the patient felt her right foot being touched around 11 Monday night, but thought a nurse was checking for swelling. Then, she felt it again. The next touching “felt wet in between my toes. This time, I looked up and saw that there as a man on his knees next to my bed and his head bent over my foot.”
As a “sitter,” Beldorin was tasked with making sure patients who are threats to flee don’t do so. Toe-sucking is not part of the job. The woman said she whipped her foot away and Beldorin retreated to his chair. After she spoke with a nurse, security then Lee County Sheriff’s Office was called.
This story was originally published February 27, 2020 at 12:31 PM.
