32-Weeks-Pregnant Nurse’s Unborn Baby Dies After Patient Attack

A 32-week pregnant nurse recently lost her unborn baby after she was allegedly attacked by a patient at a Longwood, Florida, hospital.

In a press release by the Longwood Police Department and obtained by Newsweek, the incident occurred on Saturday at the South Seminole Hospital’s Behavioral Health Unit. Police received reports of a nurse being attacked by a patient and arrived at the hospital shortly after.

At the time, the nurse was reportedly administering medication to a patient in the behavioral health unit when she was allegedly attacked by another patient, who was identified by authorities as 53-year-old Joseph Wuerz.

According to police, Wuerz shoved the unidentified nurse against a wall inside the hospital room and attempted to kick her. Several other South Seminole Hospital staff members came into the room and were able to restrain Wuerz.

Police said that the nurse was 32 weeks pregnant “at the time of the attack” and went to the Winnie Palmer Hospital out of concern “about the health of her unborn child.” After seeking treatment at the facility, the nurse was notified by medical staff members “with the unfortunate news that they believed her unborn baby to be deceased.”

The Longwood Police Department’s press release did not indicate the motive for the alleged assault.

Wuerz was released from the South Seminole Hospital on Tuesday and was arrested. He was charged with manslaughter—injuring a mother and killing an unborn child; aggravated battery on a pregnant woman; and aggravated battery on a medical worker. according to the department.

“This case is still under investigation,” said police.

According to inmate records from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, Wuerz is currently being held at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford, Florida, on $90,000 bail. He is scheduled to make his first appearance in court on January 11, 2022.

In a statement sent to Newsweek, a spokesperson for Orlando Health, said: “We are aware of an incident that occurred at Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital.”

It further added: “At this time, this is a law enforcement investigation, and we are fully cooperating.”

A somewhat similar incident occurred in June when a woman identified as 28-year-old Roseanna Denton was accused of attacking four different nurses at the West Florida Hospital in Pensacola. According to a police report obtained by The Smoking Gun, authorities alleged that Denton punched, kicked and spat on the nurses who were trying to restrain her.

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Original Article: 32-Weeks-Pregnant Nurse’s Unborn Baby Dies After Patient Attack