PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — The attorneys for a man accused in the brutal attack of a Palm Beach County nurse said their client is a "hardworking, loving husband" who is affected by mental illness.
The suspect, Stephen Scantlebury, 33, of Wellington faces a charge of attempted second-degree murder in the attack. The sheriff's office said Thursday that he will also face a hate crime enhancement, which could result in harsher penalties if he is convicted.
WATCH BELOW: Suspect's attorneys say attack was result of "mental health crisis"
Attorneys for the Rossen Law Firm, who are representing Scantlebury, released a statement Friday that said he had been "displaying unusual behavior" in the days leading up to the attack and had sought help at HCA Florida Palms West Hospital.
"We are working closely with the State Attorney and law enforcement to investigate what happened and what led to (the attack)," the attorneys' statement said.
Scantlebury's attorneys also said that the public has only heard "one side of the story — the side presented by law enforcement."
WATCH BELOW: Affidavit says nurse had 'essentially every bone' broken in face
His lawyers stated their client is being evaluated by an independent doctor to further assess his condition.
Their statement went on to say that they wished the nurse a "full and speedy recovery" and acknowledged that the incident has been an "unimaginable time for the victim and her family."
Investigators said earlier this week that the attack was so severe that "essentially every bone in the victim's face" was broken ... and she will likely "lose the use of both eyes."
He was at the hospital under Florida's Baker Act and being cared for by the nurse.
WATCH BELOW: Nurses show support for nurse after attack
Local nurses have come together this week to put a spotlight on the dangers of their profession, planning a Sunday event in Palm Beach County to support the health care community.
Read the full statement from Scantlebury's attorneys below:
Statement from Scott Simmons, Lead Attorney, and Susan Lawson, Co-Counsel
"As we represent Stephen E. Scantlebury in the case of the State of Florida vs. Stephen E. Scantlebury, we are thoroughly reviewing all aspects of the matter and cannot discuss specific details. This is an unimaginable time for the victim and her family, and our thoughts remain with them as we sincerely hope for her full and speedy recovery.
Stephen is a hardworking, loving husband, father, and son. Mental illness does not discriminate, and we know that what happened was a product of a mental health crisis. Stephen had been displaying unusual behavior in the days leading up to this event and had sought help at the hospital. We are working closely with the State Attorney and law enforcement to investigate what happened and what led to it.
Right now, the public has only heard one side of the story—the side presented by law enforcement. However, one-sided narratives can be misleading, especially when mental illness is involved. Our role is to ensure that the complete story comes to light.
To assess Stephen's condition further, we have an independent doctor evaluating him. Additionally, if anyone believes they may have witnessed Stephen experiencing a mental health episode, we encourage them to contact our firm to provide a statement.
Stephen's entire family stands by him during this difficult time. Out of respect for everyone affected, we will refrain from making any further comments."
As WPTV first reported following the attack, HCA Florida Palms West Hospital is not a Baker Act receiving facility, which requires different licensing from the state compared to medical hospitals.
"Personnel in a designated receiving facility must generally undergo a level-two background check, and they have to be trained in a series of different areas, such as verbal de-escalation techniques, use of bodily control and physical management techniques, specific training for the age group within with which they work," said Jamaal Jones, an attorney who chairs the health law section of the Florida Bar.
According to Dr. Carol Milliken, president of the Florida Emergency Nurses Association, nurses in Baker Act-receiving facilities undergo hands-on training to manage psychiatric patient care, whereas nurses in other medical settings receive psychiatric care training online, as one part of a broader training module that covers multiple areas of care.
"The knowledge and ability to care for these patients is different in a regular hospital than it is in a receiving facility," Milliken said. "The Emergency Nurses Association is advocating for ... more standardized protocols and standardized treatment care plans for the mentally ill. It's just not there."
Milliken, a psychiatric nurse herself, is unaware of the specifics of Scantlebury's case but knows that it is common for patients in the throes of a mental health crisis can spend long periods of time waiting in hospitals for a bed to open in a Baker Act receiving facility.
"If the patient was held in a facility and they were not receiving treatment for mental illness — and the person was paranoid or psychotic and believe that that they were in danger and fighting for their lives as they harm that nurse — shame on us for not providing the care that was needed," Milliken said.
It is unclear how long Scantlebury had been waiting to be transferred to a Baker Act-receiving facility.
