LEESBURG, Florida—An emergency room doctor at UF Health Leesburg was arrested Wednesday for hitting his patient in the face multiple times.
Dr. Onyekachi Nwabuko, 44, went to the victim’s room to assess her for intubation, and believed she was faking her condition, according to Leesburg Police Lt. Scott Mack. A witness told Leesburg Police Nwabuko struck the victim with her own left hand multiple times while the victim actively resisted, the witness said. Nwabuko then left the room and came back two more times and struck the victim multiple times on each visit. Another witness told police they could hear a slapping sound and when they turned around Nwabuko was striking the victim with her own hand. The victim had significant swelling, redness and bruising when LPD arrived.
Due to heavy redaction in the arrest affidavit, it is unclear who reported the incident, but it appears to be a UF Health Leesburg employee, and the hospital provided an interview room to police. LPD interviewed the victim, several witnesses and Nwabuko and following the interviews, Nwabuko was arrested for three counts of battery.
Nwabuko, of Wesley Chapel, was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on $9,000 bond.
