ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — Two nurses at Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe were reportedly assaulted by a patient earlier this month. The incident occurred on March 2 in the Emergency Department of the hospital.
Upon arriving at the scene, it was reported that the patient, identified as Marcus Lusardi, had already returned to his room and resumed watching television. Several members of the hospital staff informed authorities that Mr. Lusardi had assaulted the nursing staff.
The victim told deputies that she was escorting Mr. Lusardi to the restroom when he ran at her with his fists clenched and began punching her. A second nurse, the reports state, then yelled for Mr. Lusardi to stop, but he pushed her to the ground and continued hitting the nursing staff. Two other staff members held Mr. Lusardi on the ground until he was calm enough to be taken back to his room.
Both nurses expressed their desire to press charges against Mr. Lusardi, who was then placed under arrest for two counts of assault.
According to reports, Mr. Lusardi was at Adena for mental health treatment after being released from Fayette County Jail for an assault. He was reportedly cleared medically and no longer on any pink slip holds. Adena was only housing Mr. Lusardi until a psychiatric unit had a bed available to house him, as many of the psychiatric and mental health units were not able to house Mr. Lusardi due to the severity of his violent outbursts.
Mr. Lusardi’s criminal history shows previous arrests for assault and felonious assault.
He was later transported to the Ross County Jail where he remains in custody.
