A violent attack at a Palm Beach County hospital left 67-year-old nurse Leelamma Lal severely injured, while 33-year-old Stephen Scantlebury faces attempted second-degree murder charges with a hate crime enhancement.
Authorities say psychiatric patient Stephen Scantlebury attacked nurse Leelamma Lal at HCA Florida Palms West Hospital last Tuesday, causing facial fractures, a broken collarbone, and brain bleeding. The brutal assault, lasting up to two minutes, was caught on hospital surveillance.
Lal's daughter, Cindy Joseph, described her mother's severe injuries, including brain bleeding, facial fractures, and extensive bruising, saying she was unrecognisable. The affidavit also noted Scantlebury’s racist remarks after the attack, including, "Indians are bad" and boasting about assaulting an Indian doctor.
At a pre-trial hearing, Sgt. Beth Newcomb testified on Scantlebury's remarks, while Lal's daughter detailed her mother’s severe injuries. Scantlebury's wife claimed he had been paranoid before the attack, but the judge denied his transfer to a mental health facility. The incident has raised concerns over medical staff safety, with a petition for stricter security and tougher penalties gaining 10,000 signatures in three days.
Petition organiser Dr Cheryl Thomas-Harcum condemned the attack, saying, "Leela devoted her life to this profession and endured something so vicious." Dr Manju Samuel of the Indian Nurses Association of South Florida urged lawmakers to act, highlighting the lack of legal protections for healthcare workers. Lal remains in intensive care on ventilator support.
