A Florida nurse who was allegedly attacked without cause by a patient is probably going to be blind for the rest of her life.
In an arrest affidavit, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office deputies stated that the patient, who was later identified as 33-year-old Stephen Eric Scantlebury, was receiving treatment after being admitted to HCA Florida Palms West Hospital under the Baker Act, which permits involuntary detention and mental health examinations.
On Tuesday, the nurse entered Scantlebury’s third-floor room just before 1:30 p.m. According to the affidavit, witnesses claimed that the suspect “jumped on top of his bed, and then jumped onto and attacked the victim” without explanation.
According to reports, Scantlebury repeatedly pounded the woman in the face while standing over her. He fled the room after a witness shouted for him to stop.
He escaped from the hospital by running along the corridor and into the stairway, where he descended to the first floor.
According to reports, the suspect ran across the parking lot and into traffic on Southern Boulevard while still sporting patches from an EKG monitor and without a shirt.
Local TV stations were able to capture footage of deputies ordering Scantlebury to the ground in the middle of the road while brandishing what looked like stun guns or Tasers. Deputies apprehended him when he turned himself in.
After being flown to another hospital, where she was last reported in critical condition, the nurse was taken. According to the doctors, “the victim is likely to lose the use of both eyes and practically every bone in the victim’s face is broken.”
Scantlebury had been “acting paranoid” and “blaming people in his life for events they had nothing to do with” for the past few days, according to police. As a result, authorities used the Baker Act to place him under arrest.
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HCA Florida Healthcare claimed in a statement that the attack “occurred within a matter of seconds.”
“Our primary concern is with our beloved colleague and we are praying for her recovery. We are also providing support to our hospital staff who are understandably shaken by this incident,” according to the hospital.
As attacks occur nationwide, Willa Fuller, executive director of the Florida Nurses Association, also issued a statement voicing concerns about nurse safety.
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“With concern about a longstanding nursing shortage, there needs to be substantive action by ALL stakeholders to prevent this kind of egregious action. We would like to see direct care nurses included in any initiatives related to violence against healthcare workers,” she stated.
Scantlebury is being treated at a hospital after being charged with attempted murder. Tuesday is the date of his upcoming court appearance.
