Alejandro Razo, Calif. nurse, accused of sex act on corpse

(CBS) SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. - Alejandro Razo, a Southern California nurse, has been accused of committing a sex act on a corpse at Sherman Oaks Hospital, authorities said Monday, according to CBS Los Angeles.

Officers were called to the hospital Sunday night, where security guards had the 61-year-old Razo in custody, LAPD Lt. Andy Neiman told the station.

"The call indicated that a deceased patient had somehow been violated by an employee of the hospital," Neiman said.

The Reseda, Calif. resident was placed under arrest on a state Health and Safety Code violation, CBS Los Angeles reports.

"It's a very sensitive case because you're dealing with somebody who is deceased, who's a loved one of somebody... so it's our job to fight back for them," Neiman said.

Committing an act of necrophilia wasn't deemed a crime in the state of California until 2004, but is now considered a felony. If convicted, Razo faces up to three years in prison, CBS Los Angeles reports.

Razo was released from jail on $20,000 bail. Attempts made by CBS Los Angeles to contact him were unsuccessful.

A longtime neighbor, who declined to be identified by the station, said Razo is a quiet man with a wife and two children.

Investigators are continuing to investigate. Lt. Neiman said.