LOXAHATCHEE, FL – A nurse in Florida faces a grim prognosis after a violent and unprovoked attack by a patient at HCA Florida Palms West Hospital left her potentially blind. Authorities have detained the patient, identified as 33-year-old Stephen Eric Scantlebury, following the brutal incident.
Scantlebury had been admitted under the Baker Act, which allows for the involuntary examination of individuals for mental health concerns. On Tuesday afternoon, as a nurse entered Scantlebury’s room, witnesses reported that he suddenly lunged from his bed and began assaulting her, causing severe injuries.
According to witnesses, Scantlebury repeatedly struck the nurse in the face before fleeing the scene. He dashed through the hospital corridors, descended the stairwell, and escaped into the bustling traffic on Southern Boulevard, still wearing medical monitoring devices. Deputies managed to apprehend him after a brief standoff by deploying Tasers and ordering him to the ground.
The injured nurse was airlifted to another hospital in critical condition, where medical professionals conveyed the gravity of her injuries, noting that nearly all facial bones were fractured and that she might permanently lose vision.
Authorities explained that Scantlebury had exhibited increasingly paranoid behavior, attributing personal misfortunes to unrelated individuals, which led to his detention under the Baker Act.
In response to the ordeal, HCA Florida Healthcare issued a statement expressing their deep concern for their colleague and noting the swift nature of the attack. They emphasized their commitment to supporting staff during this challenging time.
Willa Fuller, executive director of the Florida Nurses Association, highlighted the broader issue of healthcare worker safety, urging for concerted efforts to address violence in medical settings. Fuller called for initiatives that include direct care nurses in the development of protective measures.
Facing charges of attempted murder, Scantlebury remains under medical supervision and is scheduled for a court appearance next Tuesday.
