Security Guard Charged with Assaulting Patient in Mental Health Unit
The patient who is autistic and bipolar had been admitted to Excela Healthcare Westmoreland Hospital for self-inflicted injuries.
The security guard is facing several charges, including neglect of a care-dependent person.
A security guard at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, Pa., has been charged with assaulting a patient in its mental health unit.
Scott A. Wilson, 23, of Greensburg, has been charged with neglect of a care-dependent person, criminal attempt, simple assault and harassment in connection with a November 13 incident, reports the Pocono Record.
On November 13, Wilson, who is employed by Allied Universal Security, entered the room of a female patient in the hospital’s behavioral unit after she became “agitated and combative with staff”.
“Staff members reported that Wilson threw (the patient) to the floor and restrained her neck with his arm while slamming her head to the floor with his hand,” Detective John Swank wrote in an affidavit of probable cause. “Wilson then stated that he would ‘break’ (the patient’s) arm if she ‘did not hold still.’”
The alleged victim has autism and bipolar disorder and has a history of being combative, according to Swank’s affidavit.
Other security guards who were in the room told Wilson to leave and confirmed he threw the patient on the ground and slammed her head on the floor, according to WPXI.
Wilson was subsequently fired from his position.
Wilson says the same patient punched him in the face on November 5 as she was being admitted to the hospital for self-inflicted injuries.
In an interview with police, Wilson said he let “his temper get the best of him” and his “adrenaline was pumping”.
Excela Healthcare said they had “nothing to share” when asked to comment by WPXI.
Wilson’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 21.
Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital was also in the news last month after a new father was arrested for selling heroin inside of the maternity ward on the same day his girlfriend gave birth to their baby.
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Amy Rock, Executive Editor
Amy is Campus Safety’s Executive Editor. Prior to joining the editorial team in 2017, she worked in both events and digital marketing.
Amy has many close relatives and friends who are teachers, motivating her to learn and share as much as she can about campus security. She has a minor in education and has worked with children in several capacities, further deepening her passion for keeping students safe.
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