An Indian-origin nurse, Leela Lal, was brutally assaulted by a psychiatric patient at Palms West Hospital in Florida, leaving her with severe injuries and a high likelihood of losing her eyesight. The accused, Stephen Scantlebury, was being held under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows for the involuntary hospitalization of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

According to an arrest affidavit cited by local news outlet WPBF, Scantlebury suddenly launched a violent attack on Lal while she was attending to him on the hospital’s third floor. Witnesses reported that he jumped on the bed and repeatedly punched her in the face, causing extensive injuries.

The attack left Lal with multiple facial fractures, brain bleeding, and swelling, requiring her to be airlifted to a trauma unit. Medical reports indicate that she may lose her vision completely due to the severity of the assault. The case has raised concerns over racially motivated violence, as Palm Beach County Deputy Sgt.

Beth Newcomb testified that after the attack, Scantlebury was heard saying, "Indians are bad" and "I just beat the (expletive) out of an Indian doctor." Following this, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office added a hate crime enhancement to his attempted second-degree murder charge.

Scantlebury managed to escape the hospital but was later apprehended while running on a road. His wife, Megan Scantlebury, testified in court that he had been displaying paranoid behavior in the days leading up to the attack.

Authorities are now investigating the case, which has sparked a debate over mental health, racial violence, and safety in healthcare environments.