A savage beating of a "release from custody" case manager at the Community Withdrawal and Mental Health Service building on King St. W. yesterday sent the victim to hospital and resulted in the arrest of another man.
The crisis safe beds at the facility fall under the control of the North Bay Regional Hospital.
"Because it's a police matter I can't confirm any further details," Kim McElroy, Manager of Communications at the hospital told BayToday. Any subsequent statement will be added to this story.
Multiple sources told BayToday that at 4:30 yesterday afternoon a case manager was meeting with a client who was homeless and suffering mental issues, but was temporarily living at the facility.
The man was given permission to leave the property, but when he returned he was under the influence of drugs. Staff apparently wanted the person discharged for breaking the rules, but were overruled by management.
According to sources, the man viciously attacked the employee, smashing him violently in the face with a telephone receiver before fleeing.
The court worker was sent to Sudbury for reconstructive surgery. and other medical procedures.
Sources say the man became violent after being told that his visitation rights with his children were being revoked.
Workers have complained in the past about safety issues at the facility.
Police today confirmed that an individual turned himself in to police and was arrested in connection with the assault. He is currently awaiting a bail hearing.
Case managers provide mental health screenings, facilitates psychiatric consultations, and provides discharge planning to individuals with serious mental illness and addictions or symptoms of mental illness who are in custody.
The victim is an employee of Nipissing Mental Health Housing & Support Services
