CosmicTaco

Indian-Origin Nurse Faces Brutal Hate Crime in Florida Hospital

CosmicTaco · 2025-03-04T09:27:08.865277+05:30

- An Indian-origin nurse, Leelamma Lal, aged 67, was viciously attacked at Palms West Hospital in Florida, suffering severe facial fractures. - The assailant, Stephen Scantlebury, 33, was arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder and a hate crime after making derogatory remarks about Lal's Indian heritage. - The attack has ignited a petition for stricter safety measures and harsher penalties for assaults on healthcare workers, garnering over 9,500 signatures in just two days. - Healthcare advocate Dr. Cheryl Thomas-Harcum and the Indian Nurses Association of South Florida are vocal about the need for protective laws for healthcare staff. - Local lawmakers, including Rep. Brian Mast, are being urged to support legislation to protect healthcare workers from violence. Source: [India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-origin-nurse-attacked-face-disfigured-in-us-man-charged-with-hate-crime-2687763-2025-03-02)

An Indian-origin nurse, Leelamma Lal, aged 67, was viciously attacked at Palms West Hospital in Florida, suffering severe facial fractures.
The assailant, Stephen Scantlebury, 33, was arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder and a hate crime after making derogatory remarks about Lal's Indian heritage.
The attack has ignited a petition for stricter safety measures and harsher penalties for assaults on healthcare workers, garnering over 9,500 signatures in just two days.
Healthcare advocate Dr. Cheryl Thomas-Harcum and the Indian Nurses Association of South Florida are vocal about the need for protective laws for healthcare staff.
Local lawmakers, including Rep. Brian Mast, are being urged to support legislation to protect healthcare workers from violence.

Source: India Today