A man was jailed briefly after he allegedly bit the finger of a hospital security guard in Schuylkill County last week.
State Police say they were dispatched to Geisinger-St. Luke’s Hospital in West Brunswick Township early Thursday morning (Oct. 16) for a reported assault. It was reported that a person at the hospital bit the finger of a security guard.
Shortly before 5 a.m., police arrived and met with the victim of the bite at his room in the hospital. He reportedly told police that he was called in to help staff assist with a combative patient, identified as Brian Smith Jr., 36, of Glen Lyon, Luzerne County.
When the security guard arrived to help staff, he reports seeing Smith spitting at medical staff and attempting to headbutt them. The guard told police he attempted to restrain Smith and when he put his left hand on his head, Smith moved his head and bit him on the left thumb.
The guard said he told Smith to let go of his thumb but he was ignored.
Police say the victim suffered a laceration to his thumb from the bite. When they tried to interview Smith as part of their investigation, police say Smith was too heavily intoxicated and uncooperative.
Smith was arraigned later that morning before Magisterial District Judge James Reiley and charged with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and simple assault, and a summary count of harassment.
Reiley set bail at $75,000 cash and Smith was remanded to Schuylkill County Prison. Court records show he posted bail the same day and was released.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday before Judge AJ Serina.
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