Former Redwood City paramedic pleads no contest to sex crimes on elderly patient in ambulance

The cumulative sum of his sentence will be nine years in state prison, Gallagher said. 

On Dec. 23, 2022, Ontiveros was on duty with his partner as paramedics for AMR when they were dispatched to Colma Skilled Nursing Home to transport a 76-year-old woman who had fallen to the San Mateo Medical Center. While Ontiveros’ partner was driving the ambulance on Interstate 280, Ontiveros sexually assaulted the woman. The partner reported the crime to her supervisor immediately, according to the DA’s Office.

Charges against Ontiveros for another allegation of similarly sexually assaulting an 80-year-old woman were not filed due to “lack of corroboration,” according to the DA’s Office. 

AMR was sued in June 2023 for the crimes. The lawsuit said the company knew the paramedic was a threat to the public but continued to employ him anyway.

A spokesperson for AMR previously said in an email the company “does not comment on ongoing or pending litigation.” After Ontiveros was arrested, AMR terminated him and the company is fully cooperating with law enforcement, a representative said.

“We were informed that Miguel Ontiveros has been arrested on charges related to his employment at American Medical Response. AMR reported the incident to the California Highway Patrol Golden Gate Division immediately after the alleged incident took place,” AMR spokesperson Nicole Michel said in an email. “Mr. Ontiveros was immediately placed on unpaid administrative leave, and he has not worked since the day the incident took place.”