The incident reportedly took place on Friday, November 14, when deputies were summoned to the hospital following allegations of an attack. According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation uncovered that the patient was deliberately struck multiple times in the face, shoved against a wall, and ultimately knocked to the floor by the employee, identified as 52-year-old Anthony Diaz.

Eyewitnesses to the assault included another staff member who was present in the room during the incident, providing crucial testimony to the authorities. The alleged actions by Diaz have raised serious concerns about patient safety and conduct within the healthcare facility.

“The investigation revealed the 73-year-old patient was intentionally struck several times in the face, pushed into a wall, and knocked to the ground by a hospital employee, Anthony Diaz (52),” CCSO said in a release.

The sheriff’s office said the incident was witnessed by another hospital staff member who was in the room at the time.

On Tuesday, CCSO said detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Diaz, and arrested him at his home.

Diaz has been charged with aggravated battery of an elderly person, and is being held on a $150,003 bond, according to CCSO.

HCA Orange Park told First Coast News the following:

“We do not tolerate behavior that jeopardizes the safety and well-being of our patients or colleagues, and the staff member involved in this incident is no longer employed by HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital.”