LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. (CBS12) — New details were released on Wednesday in the attack on a nurse by one of her patients that left her in critical condition.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) said Stephen Eric Scantlebury, 33, faces attempted second-degree murder following a violent attack on a nurse at HCA Palms West Hospital. The arrest occurred on February 18 at the hospital on Southern Boulevard at around 1:20 p.m. On Thursday morning, PBSO revealed a hate crime enhancement is being added, which could result in a harsher penalty if he were convicted.
Witnesses reported that Scantlebury, who was a patient under a Baker Act, jumped on his bed and attacked the nurse, repeatedly striking her in the face. The nurse sustained severe injuries, with nearly every bone in her face broken and a high likelihood of losing the use of both eyes, according to the arrest report. Due to the severity of the injuries, the nurse was airlifted to St. Mary’s Medical Center Trauma Center in West Palm Beach for emergency treatment…