A Schuylkill County man is facing a felony charge after he allegedly spit on a hospital nurse earlier this month.
According to court documents, Troopers from State Police-Schuylkill Haven say they responded to a home at Lake Wynonah, South Manheim Township, shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 11.
As police arrived at the scene, they say a man, Jonathon Piccarreta, 37, was holding a knife in his right hand. Piccarreta immediately dropped the knife as police got out of their patrol vehicle and he placed his hands on top of his head.
Police say they took Piccarreta to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Pottsville for a mental health evaluation.
During the evaluation, police say, Piccarreta appeared highly intoxicated and became uncooperative with hospital staff. Police say Piccarreta would not listen to any commands they gave and he started unplugging wires from the wall.
Piccarreta then sat in a corner and became belligerent toward anyone entering the room, police say. Shortly before 8:30 p.m., police say that hospital staff determined they needed to administer medical and physical restraints.
As a nurse was holding Piccarreta’s arm preparing to place a restraint on it, police say he spat in the nurse’s face.
Police are charging Piccarreta with felony aggravated assault and a misdemeanor count of simple assault, and summary offense for harassment.
Last month, court records show Piccarreta waived charges of endangering the welfare of children and harassment, linked to an incident in January, to Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.
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