St. Joe's Nurse Attacked By Woman Who Brought Sick Child To ER: Police

JOLIET — A 42-year-old woman from Joliet, Reyna Smith, now finds herself facing criminal charges of aggravated battery to a nurse following this week's violence at the St. Joe's Hospital Emergency Room, Joliet police arrest reports show.

Joliet police spokesman Tizoc Landeros said that Smith's criminal behavior happened on Tuesday night.

He said that fellow officers were called to Saint Joseph Medical Center because a woman was attacking a nurse. At the scene, the officers walked up to hospital staff and security officers detaining Smith.

The victim, who was an emergency room nurse, told officers that Smith brought her sick child to the hospital. The nurse later witnessed Smith being rough and physical with the child, Landeros said.

Hospital staff told the police that Smith appeared under the influence of alcohol, prompting the nurse to take the child to an emergency triage room to get her way from Smith.

According to Landeros, Smith became combative and tried to force her way into the triage area. The ER nurse stood in Smith’s way to prevent her from entering the triage area. At that point, Smith began to push the victim and then with an open hand, she pushed the victim’s face and head, the arrest report said.

The victim did not receive any injuries during the struggle.

As for Smith, Joliet police brought her to the downtown station for booking.

Smith was verbally abusive and threatened the officers while being processed, Landeros said. Eventually, Smith was given a notice to appear in Will County court and released without further incident.