A nurse is likely to lose her eyesight after being brutally attacked by a patient at a Florida hospital, highlighting growing concerns over workplace violence in healthcare facilities.
On February 18, 33-year-old Stephen Eric Scantlebury was admitted to HCA Florida Palms West Hospital under the Baker Act, which allows individuals experiencing mental health crises to be involuntarily held for evaluation, CBS Austin reported.
Witnesses reported that Scantlebury had been behaving erratically in the days leading up to the incident, showing signs of paranoia and blaming others for unrelated events. However, questions have emerged regarding why he was placed in Palms West, which is not a designated psychiatric facility for Baker Act patients.
At around 1:20 p.m., a nurse entered Scantlebury's room, at which point he suddenly jumped from his bed and launched a violent, unprovoked attack. Witnesses stated that he pinned the nurse to the ground and repeatedly punched her in the face, leaving nearly every bone in her face broken.
Doctors also said that "essentially every bone in the victim's face is broken and the victim is likely to lose the use of both eyes."
After the assault, Scantlebury fled the hospital, running shirtless across a busy road before being apprehended by deputies. The victim was airlifted to St. Mary's Medical Center in critical condition, with doctors warning that she would likely lose her vision.
Scantlebury has been charged with attempted second-degree murder, and prosecutors have since added a hate crime enhancement, which could lead to a harsher sentence if convicted.
His next court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.
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