US: Muslim Woman Repeatedly Punched in Head by Man in Hospital

A 19-year-old Muslim woman was punched in the head several times, forcing her to the ground, by a patient as she entered a hospital lobby in the U.S. state of Michigan. Security camera footage of the violent attack shows 67-year-old John Deliz approaching the young woman wearing a hijab and immediately proceeding to punch her at the emergency room's receptionist desk at Beaumont Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan.

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The video also showed a security guard and several hospital staff members rushing to the scene to subdue Deliz. The Muslim woman, who has not been identified, was helped from the ground by the receptionist as she clutched her head.

Deliz had been discharged from the hospital the same day as the incident and was lingering around the hallways and emergency room lobby, according to the Detroit News. Records showed that he had been warned about harassing others in the lobby.

Her lawyer, Majed Moughani, told CBS News that Deliz claimed he hadn't been taking his medications for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

“The hospital was aware of his condition as he was brought because he needed mental treatment. Instead of treating him, they discharged him into the ER waiting room. Instead of giving him mental treatment, they put him back in the patient pool, thereby giving way to his attack...We want to hold them (Beaumont Hospital) accountable for not looking out for the safety of other patients,” Moughani said.

The Muslim woman is seeking US$25,000 compensation from the hospital, according to Global News. Deliz, who has been detained as a result of the attack, is scheduled to appear in court in May. It was a racially motivated attack, the lawsuit claims.