911 calls released after nurse attacked by patient at Palm Beach hospital

Calls made to police captured frantic pleas for help after a nurse was brutally beaten by a patient at a hospital in Palm Beach County last week.

Stephen Scantlebury, 33, was charged with attempted second-degree murder and received a hate crime enhancement.

According to police, on Feb. 18, Scantlebury, who is a Baker Act patient, attacked the nurse in a third-floor patient room at Palms West Hospital.  

The nurse was identified as Leelamma Lal.

Family Photo

Family Photo

In the 911 calls released Tuesday, one person described the violent attack on Lal and a weapon that Scantlebury was armed with.

"Did he hurt someone with the scissors?" a dispatcher asks.

"Yes," the caller responds.

"He stabbed a nurse?" the dispatcher asks.

"Yes," the caller responds, as the dispatcher asks where the nurse is.

"On the floor," the caller responds.

“The nurse is on the floor…is she bleeding?” the dispatcher asks.

“Yes," the caller responds.

After beating Lal, police said Scantlebury roamed the hospital. He then made his way outside, which concerned drivers.

But one call that is upsetting Lal's family, was one made by a person who identified himself as the hospital's CEO.

In his call to the police, the CEO appeared to not show concern for the nurse was was beaten unconscious.

“We had a Baker act beat a staff member unconscious, now running around the building," the CEO said.

“You said they assaulted the employee until they passed out?” the dispatcher asks.

“Yeah, unconscious. I’m not worried about that part; I’m worried about the Baker Act," the CEO responds.

Police would arrest Scantlebury outside the hospital.

While Lal is now conscious and recovering, doctors said she may lose her sight after the attack broke bones throughout her face.