Wed Feb 26 06:09:58 UTC 2025: ## Florida Nurse Brutally Assaulted by Patient; Suspect Charged with Attempted Murder and Hate Crime
**Palm Beach County, FL –** A registered nurse at Palms West Hospital is recovering from a brutal attack allegedly perpetrated by a patient, Stephen Scantlebury (33), who has been arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) added a hate crime enhancement to the charges, citing the need to address the motive behind the attack.
The incident occurred on the hospital’s third floor around 1:20 PM on February 19th. According to a probable cause affidavit, Scantlebury inexplicably jumped from his bed onto the nurse, initiating a violent assault. A witness immediately sought help.
The nurse sustained critical injuries, including severe facial fractures – reportedly every bone in her face was broken – and is at risk of permanent vision loss. Due to the severity of her injuries, she has been unable to give a statement to investigators. She was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment.
Scantlebury was apprehended by deputies after the attack but underwent medical clearance before being booked into jail. The hate crime enhancement, if proven, could result in a harsher sentence. The PBSO’s investigation is ongoing.
HCA Florida Healthcare, which owns Palms West Hospital, released a statement expressing support for the injured nurse and the shaken hospital staff. They commended the PBSO’s swift action and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. The statement emphasized the speed and unexpected nature of the attack.
First Piper 