PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (WPLG) – A hospital nurse in Florida was seriously injured when a patient brutally attacked her, according to authorities.
The patient, identified as 33-year-old Stephen Scantlebury, is now facing charges for attempted murder.
The Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office said the attack happened at HCA Florida Palms West Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.
Deputies were called to a patient room on the third floor of the hospital and found the nurse critically injured.
Deputies said Scantlebury ran out of the hospital and into traffic. Video shows him running on the highway, shirtless, with what appears to be EKG leads still attached to his chest.
Deputies were able to arrest Scantlebury, who is now undergoing medical clearance and faces one count of attempted murder.
The nurse was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in West Palm Beach for treatment.
According to an affidavit, “essentially every bone in the victim’s face is broken and the victim is likely to lose the use of both eyes.”
Detectives are still investigating.
HCA Florida Healthcare said in a statement Tuesday night:
“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. The attack on our nursing colleague happened within a matter of seconds and was witnessed by multiple people who came to assist. 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.”
