CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A staff member at a Chillicothe hospital told deputies she was violently attacked by a patient inside the hospital’s psychiatric unit, according to a report from the Ross County Sheriff’s Office.
The alleged assault happened Dec. 17 after a patient was admitted to the unit, the report says. Deputies wrote that the individual had been placed on a psychiatric hold by the Ohio Highway Patrol.
According to the sheriff’s office report, the patient began behaving erratically and grabbed a laptop computer from a desk where the employee was sitting. The patient then allegedly struck objects with the laptop, damaging it.
The report says hospital staff attempted to de-escalate the situation. During the effort, the patient allegedly pulled back a closed fist and swung at the female staff member, then grabbed her by the hair, threw her to the ground, and ripped out a large amount of hair, leaving what the report described as a large bald spot on the back of her head.
Deputies wrote that it took multiple hospital staff members to get the patient off the employee.
The Scioto Valley Guardian identified the suspect as Russell Gross, citing the reported attack and anticipated criminal charges. Deputies said Gross was heavily sedated following the incident, and that a request for a criminal summons would be made through the court when he is released from 1A, according to the report.
The report says the hospital declined to pursue charges related to the reported damage to the laptop.