June 10, 2009

Mom Imprisoned for Posting HIV Patient’s Medical Info Online

A 22-year-old mother of three has been sentenced to a year in prison for posting the medical records of an HIV-positive woman online, Hawaii’s KGMB9 reports. She will also serve five years of probation and 200 days of community service.

According to the article, while working at the Straub Clinic in Honolulu as a clerical assistant in 2007, Rhonda Wong-Fernandez accessed the medical records of a woman she had a dispute with and posted the confidential information on MySpace. While the defense asked for no jail time, deputy prosecutor Chris Van Marter wanted Fernandez to serve a month behind bars. Judge Randy Lee disagreed and felt that a harsher punishment was necessary.

“We are not talking about someone talking stink about someone,” Lee said. “We are talking about something very sacred to someone.”

Van Marter read one of the several comments aloud in court. “She said quote, ‘No wonder she’s so pale. She’s dying of AIDS. Poor thing, she has HIV. That’s why she’s hating.’ And she ends the comment by saying, “I hope she dies.’”

Wong-Fernandez’s defense attorney requested to delay the imprisonment so that she can continue breast feeding her 5-month-old infant and arrange child care for her other children. The request was denied.

In April, the unnamed patient died of a brain tumor.

Search: Hawaii, Honolulu, medical records, Rhonda Wong-Fernandez, MySpace

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Previous Comments:

Chris, Denver, 2009-06-12 00:18:48
Kudoos to the Judge!!! It so nice to hear that there is acutal justice in this world. I agree that her childen are better off without the negative influence of such a poor excuse for a mother.

don, memphis, 2009-06-11 22:25:05
i am horrified at ms fernandez' behavior and actions. cold blooded behavior. should the clinic not also be held to some sort of liability and HIPPA regulations. seems like the world is just getting worse.

Deborah, Miami, 2009-06-11 17:52:57
i am living with this virus was on my death bed a year ago in april i fought my way home i lost my daughter in 1993 its hhard for me and us to face everyday of our life then we have this nerd coming along and judging us I wish I Could Take all 3 of her kids lock her up and throw away the keyand send here kids to me in florida

Basquo, Austin, 2009-06-11 17:46:08
I read elsewhere that "She pleaded no contest to a felony charge of unauthorized computer access to confidential records." I think the civil suit that will be brought will bring additional charges under HIPAA. The civil fines are even steeper now thanks to new provisions in the Stimulus Act.

DEBORAH, MIAMI FLA, 2009-06-11 17:45:13
THAT WOMAN NEEDS TO GET A LIFE AND FOCUS ON HER KIDS AND LEAVE US HIV PATIENTS ALONE I KNOW I WAKE UP EVERY SINGLE DAY AND FACE ALOT OF CHALLANGES AND PEOPLE LIKE HER COME ALONG AND BRING US DOWN SHE WILL ALWAYS BE MORE OF A THREAT TO ME AND ALL OF US THEN WE ARE TO HER MAN DO I WISH I WAS IN HER TOWN BUT THEN AGAIN I DONT I KNOW ONE THING FOR SURE I AM NOT GONNA LET THAT STUPID WOMAN BRING ME DOWN AND NEITHER SHOULD ANYONE ELSE SMILE

deborah, Miami, 2009-06-11 17:37:30
I Can Not Believe What i Just Read That WOMAN Needs Some Lessons About This What People Fail To Realize They Are More Of A THREAT To US THEN WE ARE TO THEM WHO EVER SHE POSTED ON MYSPACE MAY OUT LIVE THIS WOMAN AND YES SHE DOES DESERVE JAIL TIME NOT PROBATION NOR 200 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVES IF SHE DOES THE SERVICE LET HER WORK THE WHOLE 200 HOURS CARING FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME BUT I WOULDN'T WANT HER ANY WHERE NEAR ME

Sam in San Antonio, san antonio, 2009-06-11 17:02:00
Good. I'm glad the judge was not satisfied with the prosecutions request of only 1 month in jail. Those were incredibly moronic and hateful remarks. Not to mention the disclosure of her health affliction! Her kids are better of without that type of negative influence.

scootrnc, Raleigh NC, 2009-06-11 12:11:19
KICK BUTT and TAKE NAMES!! Way to go, judgey! Maybe next time she'll think twice before letting her twit gets the better of her.

MOTHER LOVE, Queens Village, 2009-06-11 11:24:52
I have a daughter who is full blown AIDS, she is in the last stages of this cancer. I will pray that our father in heaven has mercey on her soul when her time come to meet our makeron judge ment day.

Good on the judge, Washington State, 2009-06-11 09:51:36
I certainly agree with the ruling but I'm actually surprised. In a day and age where those of us who have HIV are routinely villified it's nice to know some people in the legal system still believe we have rights. Good for that judge.

Henry, , 2009-06-10 17:17:19
That bitch needs to get what's coming to her in jail.

wow, , 2009-06-10 16:42:35
That woman deserves every single day in jail that she got! What a horrible, treacherous thing to do. Good for the judge for giving her more time than even the prosectutor asked. This woman is a perfect example of the evil in humanity.