** Former Florida paramedic back in court June 22nd in patient abuse case
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A Viera, Florida medic is expected back in court June 22nd to address charges he was abusive to a patient. That is the word from WKMG (Justin Warmoth/Tracy Richardson/June 12) which said former Brevard County Fire Rescue paramedic Kenneth Hallenbeck has had the charge against him downgraded from a felony to a misdemeanor. According to the news site, Hallenbeck became enraged when a patient refused to move from a stretcher to a wheelchair under his own steam. Allegedly yelling at the man when he did not comply, Hallenbeck apparently upended the gurney, sending the man to the floor. Hallenbeck was fired in March after 11 years on the job. Assistant State Attorney Gary Beatty said charges were downgraded due to the patient’s expected longevity and because the man did not entirely meet the criteria for a disabled person. The tag therefore went from abuse of an elderly or disabled person to the lesser infraction of culpable negligence. A plea deal is expected to settle the matter.
