** Florida paramedic arrested, charged for punching head injury patient
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A Florida paramedic from Ocala has been charged with aggravated battery after allegedly punching a head injury patient, 61, several times. That is the word from The Miami Herald (David J. Neal/March 12) which said Kendal Billings, 26, Â has also had his EMS licence suspended as a result of the December 8th incident. According to the newspaper, events unfolded after Billings responded to a call for a motorcycle accident. When the patient became aggressive and kicked Billings while the former attempted to restrain him, Billings hauled off with a closed fist and punched him six times. A student riding with the crew said the patient lost consciousness and the original head wound began to heavily bleed. Billings, however, initially denied the assault to both the patient and the police. He later admitted hitting the man a couple of times, but said he was originally aiming for the chest area. He also claimed the patient was not knocked out. Since his arrest, Billings has been fired from Nature Coast EMS. He remains free on a $5,000 bond. There is no word on his next court date.
