A Florida man accused of brutally attacking a nurse, leaving her with life-altering injuries, is now facing a potential hate crime enhancement in addition to attempted murder charges.
Stephen Scantlebury, 33, allegedly assaulted the nurse at HCA Florida Palms West Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, causing devastating injuries. According to an affidavit, “essentially every bone in the victim’s face is broken, and the victim is likely to lose the use of both eyes.”
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a call on the hospital’s third floor, where they found the nurse critically injured. Scantlebury reportedly fled the scene, running shirtless onto a nearby highway with EKG leads still attached to his chest. He was later arrested and taken for medical clearance before being charged with attempted second-degree murder.
Investigators have since added a hate crime enhancement to the charge after determining that Scantlebury allegedly made comments about the victim’s ethnicity during the attack. If convicted under Florida’s hate crime statute, Scantlebury could face a more severe sentence.
HCA Florida Healthcare released a statement expressing support for the victim and hospital staff, stating, “Our primary concern is with our beloved colleague, and we are praying for her recovery. We are also providing support to our hospital staff who are understandably shaken by this incident.”
The case remains under investigation as authorities work to determine a motive behind the attack.
