PBSO: Knife-wielding mother stabs hospital employees after taking her baby from NICU
A Loxahatchee woman was arrested Thursday night after authorities alleged that she stabbed three nurses at HCA Florida Palms West Hospital after removing her 3-day old infant from the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit against medical advice.
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies say the 31-year-old woman attacked hospital staff with a large serrated kitchen knife before driving away with the child. The injuries were not life-threatening, investigators said.
“We are very thankful that our colleagues are recovering and HCA Florida Palms West Hospital is providing support and care for their physical, mental and emotional well-being," a statement released by the hospital Friday afternoon read. "We are also thankful to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, whose quick actions led to the apprehension of the suspect and the safe return of the patient. Our security team is assisting fully with law enforcement's investigation.”
A person related to the woman accused in the attack told deputies the woman has experienced mental health episodes that recently have escalated. The Palm Beach Post is not disclosing the woman's name.
According to the arrest report, several hospital staff members attempted to intervene after the woman removed the infant from a ventilator and other medical devices. The relative told investigators the infant was in NICU because of underdeveloped lungs.
The relative said the child's mother had recently complained about the baby having to remain in the hospital, but had made no mention of removing the child from the NICU.
Child abduction alert initiated hospital lockdown
According to the arrest report, a "code pink" was initiated at the hospital shortly after 10:30 p.m. Thursday, indicating a child abduction.
One employee told deputies she was on duty in the NICU when she observed the infant's mother attempting to leave with the child. When the employee attempted to retrieve the child, the mother swung the knife, cutting the employee on the right hand.
Two other employees told deputies they were near the emergency room exit when they observed the mother running with the child and attempted to intervene. The mother cut one employee on his forearm and struck a female employee on the side of her neck, the arrest report said.
Deputies tracked the mother and child to the woman's home in Loxahatchee. The woman reportedly attempted to flee again in her vehicle but crashed. She fled on foot and was apprehended a short time later. The infant was taken back to the hospital by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and was last reported to be in stable condition.
The Loxahatchee woman faces charges that include two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, one count of child neglect and one count of simple battery. She made her initial court appearance Friday morning at the Palm Beach County Jail.
County Judge Ted Booras assigned her a public defender and ordered that she be held in lieu of $302,000 bail. As a matter of policy, the Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office does not comment on open cases. Jail records show that the defendant remained in custody as of Friday afternoon.
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Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him atjwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on Twitter at@JuliusWhigham. Help support our work:Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Woman arrested, accused of taking baby from hospital NICU, stabbing nurses
