York County Man Charged After Allegedly Assaulting Nurse

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A 19-year-old York County man named Damien Lucius Whitney has been charged with felony aggravated assault after allegedly striking a nurse in the face at WellSpan York Hospital. According to police, Whitney was not allowed to leave the hospital when the nurse was explaining that to him, and he responded by throwing a punch that connected with the nurse's face. Whitney continued to try to punch the nurse, causing her to fall against a wall, before other staff intervened.

Why it matters

Assaults on healthcare workers have become an increasingly concerning issue, with nurses and other medical staff facing a higher risk of violence on the job. This incident highlights the need for better security protocols and de-escalation training to protect hospital staff from such attacks.

The details

Police arrested Damien Lucius Whitney, 19, of Thomasville, on Monday and he was placed in York County Prison on $15,000 bail. According to the court documents, Whitney was not allowed to leave the hospital when the nurse was explaining that to him, and he responded by throwing a right-handed punch that connected with the nurse's face. Whitney continued to attempt to punch the nurse with both hands, causing her to fall against a wall, before fellow staff intervened to prevent further harm.

• The incident occurred on Monday, January 27, 2026.

What’s next

Whitney is scheduled to appear in court on February 5th for a preliminary hearing on the charges.