Indian-Origin Nurse Brutally Attacked in US Hospital; Assailant Says ‘Indians Are Bad’, ‘I Beat The F#**…’

A 67-year-old Indian-origin nurse in Florida suffered severe injuries after being attacked by a psychiatric patient, who allegedly made racist remarks following the assault.

March 5, 2025: Palm Beach County, Florida:
In a shocking hate crime incident at HCA Florida Palms West Hospital, a 67-year-old Indian-origin nurse, Leelamma Lal, was brutally attacked by a 33-year-old psychiatric patient, Stephen Scantlebury. The assault left Lal with severe facial fractures, a broken collarbone, and brain bleeding, while Scantlebury now faces charges of attempted second-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement.

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A Brutal Attack Caught on Camera

Authorities revealed that hospital surveillance footage captured the vicious assault, which lasted for nearly two minutes.

Lal’s daughter, Cindy Joseph, described the horrific extent of her mother’s injuries, saying,

“She had subdural and sporadic bleeding in the brain. The right side of her face was fully fractured… She was intubated and unconscious, with severe bruising and swelling. I didn’t even recognize her.”

According to the police affidavit, Scantlebury made racist remarks following the attack, allegedly stating:
“Indians are bad,” and “I just beat the (expletive) out of an Indian doctor.”

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Hate Crime Investigation & Court Proceedings

During a pre-trial detention hearing, Palm Beach County Deputy Sgt. Beth Newcomb testified regarding Scantlebury’s racist comments. Meanwhile, his wife claimed he had been experiencing paranoia before the attack, believing their home was bugged and that he was under constant surveillance.

Despite the defense’s request to transfer Scantlebury to a mental health facility, the judge denied the motion, stating it was “premature.”

Healthcare Workers Demand Stronger Protections

The incident has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of medical professionals in the US. A petition advocating for stricter security measures and tougher penalties for attacks on healthcare workers has already gathered over 10,000 signatures in just three days.

Dr. Cheryl Thomas-Harcum, one of the petition’s organizers, emphasized the need for legal reforms, stating:

“Leela devoted her life to this profession, and at the tail end of her career, she had to endure something so vicious.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Manju Samuel, advisory board chair of the Indian Nurses Association of South Florida, urged lawmakers to take action:

“There are no specific laws to protect healthcare staff. That deficiency must be addressed immediately.”

Lal’s Condition Remains Critical

Leelamma Lal remains in intensive care and is currently on ventilator support as medical professionals monitor her condition.

This horrific incident underscores the urgent need for stricter safety regulations in hospitals and legal protections for frontline healthcare workers.

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Indian nurse attacked, hate crime in US, hospital assault, Indian-origin victims, racism in America, healthcare worker safety, Florida crime, hate crimes against Indians, medical professionals at risk, US justice system