US Man Attacks Indian-Origin Nurse, Charged With Hate Crime

A shocking incident at a Palm Beach County hospital left 67-year-old nurse. Leelamma Lal seriously injured, while 33-year-old Stephen Scantlebury faces charges of attempted second-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement.

Authorities report that Scantlebury, a psychiatric patient at HCA Florida Palms West Hospital. Allegedly attacked Lal last Tuesday. She suffered multiple facial fractures, a broken collarbone, and brain bleeding. The assault, lasting one to two minutes, was caught on hospital surveillance and described as brutal and violent.

Also Read: Bengaluru family mysteriously vanishes from Bandipur resort

Nurse Brutally Attacked: Daughter Reveals Shocking Injuries

Lal’s daughter, Cindy Joseph, described her mother’s severe injuries, saying, “Doctors found subdural and sporadic bleeding in her brain. Multiple fractures completely damaged the right side of her face. They intubated her while she remained unconscious. Her face had extensive bruising, and her eyes were swollen.”I didn’t really recognise her.”

The affidavit also stated that Scantlebury made racist remarks after the attack, saying, “Indians are bad” and “I just beat the (expletive) out of an Indian doctor.”

Also Read: Ranya Rao: Actress Arrested for Smuggling 14.8 kg Gold at Bengaluru Airport

During a pre-trial detention hearing, Palm Beach County Deputy Sgt. Beth Newcomb testified about Scantlebury’s remarks, and Lal’s daughter described the severity of her mother’s injuries.

Scantlebury’s wife testified that he had been experiencing paranoia in the days leading up to the attack, believing their home was bugged and that he was under surveillance. However, the judge denied a request to transfer Scantlebury to a mental health facility, calling it “premature.”

The incident has sparked concerns over the safety of medical professionals, with a petition calling for stricter security measures and tougher penalties for assaults on healthcare workers garnering over 10,000 signatures in three days.

Dr. Cheryl Thomas-Harcum, one of the petition’s organisers, said, “Leela devoted her life to this profession, and at the tail end of her career, she had to endure something so vicious.”

Advisory board chair Dr. Manju Samuel of Indian Nurses Association of South Florida urged lawmakers to act, saying, “There are no specific laws to protect healthcare staff. That deficiency must be addressed.”

Lal continues to be in intensive care although on ventilator support.