Indian-origin nurse brutally attacked by patient in Florida hospital
What's the story
An Indian-origin nurse, Leela Lal, was brutally assaulted by a psychiatric patient at Palms West Hospital in Florida. The 67-year-old nurse was attacked on Tuesday by Stephen Scantlebury, a 33-year-old patient under involuntary hospitalization due to a mental health crisis. The assault left Lal with severe facial injuries, nearly every bone in her face broken, and potential loss of eyesight.
Victim's condition
Daughter recounts mother's condition post-attack
Lal's daughter, Cindy, detailed the horrifying condition of her mother after the attack. "I couldn't recognize her. Both eyes were swollen, she was intubated, her whole face on the right side was swollen," Cindy said. She also spoke of multiple fractures all over Lal's face and bleeding in the brain. Given the severity of these injuries, Lal had to be airlifted to a nearby trauma unit.
Legal proceedings
Assailant charged with hate crime, attempted murder
Following the incident, Scantlebury was charged with attempted second-degree murder and a hate crime. This was because of derogatory remarks he made about Indians after the attack. Palm Beach County Deputy Sgt. Beth Newcomb reported Scantlebury saying, "Indians are bad" and "I just beat the (expletive) out of an Indian doctor." Although he initially escaped from the hospital, he was later apprehended while running on a road.
Pre-attack behavior
Assailant's wife testifies about his paranoid behavior
Scantlebury's wife, Megan, testified in court about his paranoid behavior prior to the attack. She revealed he had been acting suspiciously for days before the incident. "He thought there were people trying to harm him," Megan said. She also said he suspected their house was bugged, and she and their neighbors were involved in a conspiracy against him. Scantlebury is currently jailed awaiting trial for his actions during this violent episode.