PALM BEACH, Fla. (NewsNation) — Dr. Cindy Joseph, whose mom, nurse Leelamma Lal, was brutally attacked at a Florida hospital, said she’s “really disappointed in the system,” calling the incident preventable.
Joseph told NewsNation’s Ashleigh Banfield that her own experience working in health care has led her to expect the worst at times, but ultimately, she says, “This shouldn’t have happened.”
“My mom’s been working there for 20+ years; she’s devoted her entire career to the hospital. The fact that this happened at a health care facility which should have proper security is beyond me,” Joseph said on “Banfield.“
Suspect facing attempted murder charges after attacking Florida nurse
Stephen Scantlebury is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly attacking Lal at the hospital where he was being cared for, essentially breaking every bone in Lal’s face, police said.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to an aggravated battery incident in a patient’s room at Palms West Hospital on Feb. 18.
Scantlebury has been arrested and is undergoing medical clearance, NewsNation affiliate WJW reported. On Feb. 20, the sheriff’s department, in an update on social media, wrote that a hate crime enhancement had been added to the existing charge of attempted second-degree murder.
“Hate crime enhancements, if proven, can result in harsher penalties upon conviction. They highlight the motive behind the defendant’s actions and their broader impact on the community,” the post said.
According to PEOPLE, police affidavits obtained by Florida media outlets described how Scantlebury allegedly jumped on top of his bed and then onto the nurse and attacked her.
It went on to state that “essentially every bone in the victim’s face is broken,” and additionally, the victim would likely lose the use of both of her eyes.
911 calls released after Palm Beach, Florida nurse attacked by patient
“Did he hurt someone with the scissors?” a dispatcher asked. “Yes,” the caller responded.
“He stabbed a nurse?” the dispatcher asked. “Yes,” the caller responded, as the dispatcher asked where the nurse was.
“On the floor,” the caller responded. “The nurse is on the floor… is she bleeding?” the dispatcher asked. “Yes,” the caller responded.
‘Nurses are not targets’: Florida Nurses Association response
“People that are caring for you in the hospital are not targets and should not be seen as somebody that is OK to abuse,” said Willa Fuller, executive director of the Florida Nurses Association, a local news station reported.
Fuller added that similar incidents happen far more often than people might think.
“Almost every nurse has probably experienced some kind of violence in her career, at least once and probably more often,” Fuller added.
