A hospital patient named Stephen Scantlebury has been charged with attempted murder. Scantlebury allegedly brutally beat a nurse at a Florida hospital in West Palm Beach. During the incident, which took place on Tuesday, February 18, Scantlebury allegedly jumped onto the nurse and attacked her all of a sudden. As a result, he broke "every bone in the victim's face," according to an affidavit.
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The probable cause affidavit, obtained by WPTV, reveals that the attack occurred at around 1:20 p.m. at the HCA Florida Palms West Hospital. When Scantlebury was receiving care from the unnamed nurse, he "inexplicably" jumped off his bed and onto the victim. A witness in the room ran out of it and called for help.
The document then reveals that a second witness saw Scantlebury standing over the nurse. Said witness saw Scantlebury hitting her in the face with his fists, multiple times. When confronted by the second witness, the suspect ran out of the room and out of the hospital altogether. Police officers who arrived at the scene would then arrest a shirtless Stephen Scantlebury on Southern Boulevard.
Following his arrest, the nurse was airlifted to St. Mary's Medical Center due to the gravity of her sustained injuries. "Essentially every bone in the victim's face is broken," reads the affidavit. "The victim is likely to lose the use of both eyes."
Stephen Scantlebury has been charged with attempted second-degree murder. An update issued by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office confirmed that a hate crime enhancement is being added to his existing charge.
Statements Issued
The Florida Nurses Association would issue a statement. They denounced a lack of safety for nurses which, according to the association, happens at a national level.
"With concern about a longstanding nursing shortage, there needs to be substantive action by ALL stakeholders to prevent this kind of egregious action," reads the statement. "We would like to see direct care nurses included in any initiatives related to violence against healthcare workers."
HCA Florida Healthcare also issued a statement. They expressed their concern over their "beloved colleague" and are currently providing support to hospital staff members.
"The attack on our nursing colleague happened within a matter of seconds and was witnessed by multiple people who came to assist," the statement reads. "We are grateful to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office who acted to detain the suspect and we are assisting law enforcement in their investigation."
