Malayali nurse in Florida brutally attacked by patient in hate crime
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A 67-year-old Malayali nurse, Leelamma Lal, suffered severe facial fractures after being violently assaulted by a psychiatric patient at Palms West Hospital in Florida.
The attack, which has been classified as a hate crime, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stronger protections for healthcare workers.
Authorities have identified the attacker as 33-year-old Stephen Scantlebury, who was receiving psychiatric care under a Baker Act hold - a provision that allows involuntary hospitalisation during a mental health crisis.
Leelamma, a nurse with over 20 years of experience, was checking on Scantlebury when he suddenly punched her multiple times, causing extensive injuries. After the assault, he fled the scene but was quickly apprehended by law enforcement.
According to the arrest affidavit, Scantlebury allegedly admitted to targeting Lal due to her ethnicity, stating: "Indians are bad. I just beat the s*** out of an Indian doctor."
Due to these remarks, prosecutors have added hate crime enhancements to the charges, which include attempted second-degree murder. If convicted, these enhancements could lead to a harsher sentence, as they emphasise the racially motivated nature of the crime.
Leelamma is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit at St. Mary’s Medical Centre. Doctors have warned that her injuries are so severe she may lose vision in both eyes. Her daughter, Dr Cindy Joseph, said she wasn't able to recognise her mother. She said that the attack was "preventable" and called for better security for hospital workers. She added that she is disappointed in the hospital system.
The Indian Nurses Association of South Florida has condemned the attack and is demanding better safety measures for healthcare workers. This incident follows another violent assault on Malayali nurse Achamma Cherian in the UK, raising concerns about the growing risk of violence against medical professionals.