Nurse indicted for patient assaults
Former Boston Children's Nurse Indicted for Alleged Sexual Assaults of Teen Patients
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Key Points
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Tam previously worked at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, and UMass Memorial Medical Center in Marlborough before joining Boston Children's Hospital.
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In court, prosecutors said Tam was released on personal recognizance and barred from working in healthcare or having unsupervised contact with children.
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Security footage reportedly shows Tam wheeling a patient into a bathroom and leaving about nine minutes later during the Jan. 2, 2025 incident.
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The September 19, 2022 alleged assault involved a 15-year-old boy undergoing chest surgery; the teen awoke to Tam inappropriately touching his genitals, with prosecutors noting the catheter placements were in the arm, not the groin.
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The January 2, 2025 assault involved a second teenage patient who had just undergone surgery; Tam allegedly took him to the first floor, into a single-stall bathroom, and assaulted him for about eight minutes after giving discharge instructions to the patient and mother, while offering to display porn on his phone.
A former Boston Children's Hospital nurse has been indicted on eight counts of sexual assault after prosecutors say he targeted two teenage boys recovering from surgery. John Tam, 33, allegedly exploited patients while they were sedated or just waking from anesthesia, according to MassLive and Boston Herald.
Prosecutors say these attacks may not be isolated. Authorities have flagged an open case in Middlesex County tied to Tam's work at another hospital, and officials are urging families to come forward if they suspect their child was harmed.
Two Teenage Patients Targeted After Surgery
The first alleged assault happened on September 19, 2022. Prosecutors say Tam touched a 15-year-old boy's genitals while the teen was waking from chest surgery. Authorities noted that Tam had no medical reason to touch that area — the boy's catheter was placed in his arm, not his groin, according to Boston 25 News.
The second incident occurred on January 2, 2025. After giving discharge instructions to a teenage patient and his mother, Tam allegedly wheeled the boy to a single-stall bathroom on the first floor. Security footage reportedly shows Tam entering the bathroom with the patient and leaving about nine minutes later, MassLive reported.
Prosecutors Describe Deliberate, Predatory Pattern
Authorities say Tam chose moments when patients were least able to resist or remember. Both victims were recovering from anesthesia — the state that leaves patients confused, weak, and disoriented. In the 2025 case, Tam allegedly offered to show the teen pornographic material on his phone, according to Boston Herald.
Prosecutors say the attacks show a clear method: isolate the patient, find a private space, and act quickly. The January assault lasted about eight minutes. The DA's office says this pattern raises serious concern that other victims may exist who have not yet come forward.
Tam Worked at Multiple Hospitals Before Boston Children's
Before joining Boston Children's Hospital, Tam worked at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, and UMass Memorial Medical Center in Marlborough. Prosecutors have flagged a separate open case in Middlesex County connected to his time at the Marlborough location, according to Boston 25 News.
The breadth of his employment history has alarmed investigators. Each hospital represents a potential new set of victims. Boston Children's Hospital says it is cooperating fully with the investigation.
Tam Released on Recognizance, Barred From Healthcare
Tam pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Suffolk Superior Court. A judge released him on personal recognizance — meaning no cash bail — but imposed strict conditions. He is barred from working in any healthcare setting and cannot have unsupervised contact with children, according to Boston Herald.
He faces eight counts in total: four counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older, and four counts of indecent assault and battery on a patient by a healthcare provider. Prosecutors say they are actively reviewing evidence across multiple hospitals and expect the case to grow.
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