BEAUMONT — Another hospital visit has ended with a patient accused of turning violent toward medical staff — the latest in a string of cases involving attacks on healthcare workers in Southeast Texas.
Christopher Curtis, 45, of Beaumont, was arrested Sunday night and booked into the Jefferson County Correctional Facility on a 3rd degree felony charge of Assault of Hospital Personnel on Hospital Property. If convicted, he could face 2-10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
According to a probable cause affidavit for his arrest that KFDM obtained from Magistrate Marc DeRouen, officers were called to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital at about 2 p.m. Sunday after Curtis allegedly became physically violent while receiving treatment.
Police say Curtis had voluntarily gone to the hospital seeking treatment for psychological-related symptoms.
But during his treatment, investigators allege the situation escalated.
According to the affidavit, Curtis struck an attending physician with an open hand, hitting the doctor in the chest and arms.
The physician told police the blows caused significant physical pain.
The affidavit says the doctor was clearly identifiable as hospital staff, wearing hospital garments, a properly displayed St. Elizabeth Hospital identification badge and a stethoscope while actively treating patients.
Police say the doctor did not have visible injuries.
Curtis was taken into custody and placed in double-locked hand restraints before being transported to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility.
He was booked shortly after 1 a.m. Monday.
His bond was set at $2,000, with standard conditions that include no contact with the alleged victim or the victim’s family.
The case is particularly notable because it comes amid multiple recent incidents in Southeast Texas involving patients accused of assaulting nurses, doctors or other hospital personnel.
Healthcare workers routinely find themselves dealing with patients who are frightened, confused, intoxicated, experiencing a mental health crisis or otherwise in distress. But when those encounters turn violent, hospital employees can become victims while simply trying to provide care.