Intoxicated patient rips off monitoring devices and attack personnel at UF Health-Leesburg Hospital

An intoxicated Leesburg man was arrested on a charge of battery after striking UF Health-Leesburg Hospital personnel when he was a patient.

Police responded to the attack on a healthcare professional at UF Health-Leesburg Hospital, located at 600 East Dixie Avenue, at 9:18 p.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. 

Upon the officer’s arrival, the male victim advised him that 69-year-old William Otis Fassnacht was transported to the hospital by EMS at about 6:45 p.m. He was extremely intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of .289 and needed the appropriate care, the report said. 

At about 8 p.m., Fassnacht removed all monitoring devices from his body, the report said. The victim instructed him to keep them on and tried putting them back. In response, Fassnacht balled his fists, cursed at the victim and attempted to strike him. He proceeded to remove his IV and tried leaving the room. While being walked back, he tried to kick and punch the victim.  During this time, he struck the victim in the middle of his head with his left fist, causing a small half-inch cut and bleeding. 

The victim and two other healthcare professionals restrained Fassnacht by his hands. He was checked on over the next 80 to 90 minutes. However, at about 9:15 p.m., Fassnacht removed his restraints and left his room again. He then aggressively walked toward the victim and attempted to punch him in the face. His blow grazed the victim’s face, who struck Fassnacht in the face with an open hand to get away from him, the report said.  

Fassnacht fell to the ground and hit his head, sustaining a 1-inch cut that was treated immediately. He was still kicking and unsuccessfully trying to strike the victim and other healthcare workers. He was restrained again and placed in another room while the victim contacted law enforcement, the report said. 

The officer was unable to find footage of the first incident inside the room but did locate footage of the second incident in the hallway. This confirmed the victim’s account of the events, the report said. 

Fassnacht refused to speak to the officer and repeatedly asked to be let go, the report said. 

After being medically cleared, Fassnacht was arrested for simple battery against hospital personnel. The Indiana native was transported to the Lake County Jail and released after posting $5,000 bond.