Ex-hospital worker sentenced to prison for abusing boy

SALT LAKE CITY — For Judge Deno Himonas, it was a decision between mercy and the demands of justice.

The 3rd District judge knew he was about to send David Elijah Jensen to prison Wednesday. The only question was whether the 23-year-old former nurse's assistant at Primary Children's Hospital who once had a seemingly bright future ahead of him should be sentenced to consecutive or concurrent prison terms for molesting a patient.

"In this case, the demands of justice outweigh (mercy)," Himonas decided.

He ordered Jensen to serve two consecutive terms of three years to life in the Utah State Prison for his guilty pleas to two amended charges of attempted aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony.

Himonas called it a "very difficult sentence," recognizing Jensen's age as well as the fact that even a single three-years-to-life sentence could have kept him in prison for the rest of his life based on the discretion of the parole board. But the judge ultimately noted, "This is a tragedy for a number of reasons."

On Oct. 9, 2013, Jensen entered the room of an 11-year-old patient who had undergone brain surgery just a day earlier. The boy's father was asleep in the room with him. Jensen lifted the boy's medical gown and touched the patient's "private parts," according to charging documents. The nurse's assistant left the room, but returned a short time later and sexually assaulted the child.

In court Wednesday, the families of both Jensen and the victim sat on opposite sides of the courtroom and cried as they listened to the proceedings.

Before being sentenced, Jensen addressed the judge and apologized to the boy's family. He told them that on his first night working at the hospital, he gave a blessing to a young boy who had been abused and was dying. He said he promised that night to always help all patients and their families who came through the hospital.

"I know I failed in that promise," he said, while also noting that he had caused the boy and his family "so much pain (that) no one should have to go through."

Since the incident, Jensen said he has often cried himself to sleep. He said he now carries a guilt he'll have the rest of his life.

"I promise I'll get counseling and the help I need no matter what happens today," he said before the sentence was handed down.

Jensen also apologized to his family for "causing them so much disappointment" and said he would try to earn back the trust of the community.

Jensen's mother wiped back tears as she told the judge how her son loved helping others and was destined for a life of service. She said he especially liked working at cancer camp each year with young children. She said her son pleaded guilty so the young boy he abused wouldn't have to testify in court.

"I don't know or understand what happened in his mind," she said. "My son did make a terrible choice. I know it, he knows it. But he is not a monster. I am his mom and I love him and support him."

But the victim's mother and father each pleaded with the judge to give Jensen the maximum penalty possible.

"My son's life has changed forever from that one night, from that one choice," the boy's mother said. "There needs to be consequences."

She said that despite all the pleas from Jensen, his attorney and his family, she wanted the judge to remember who the real victim is.

Jensen's defense attorney argued that her client was a good candidate for treatment and said counseling and therapy would be best for him. Prosecutors argued that because Jensen abused his victim not once but twice, he should receive more than just a "slap on on the wrist."

Related topics