Hershey Medical Center patient charged with attempted rape, assault of staff

A patient at Hershey Medical Center was removed from the hospital and charged after injuring three people early Monday morning.

Christian Bonnette, 33, of Harrisburg, was charged with three counts of aggravated assault and one count of rape by threat of forcible compulsion. The incident which resulted in injuries to three hospital staff members, according to a news release issued by Derry Township police.

Police responded to the incident, which occurred on the fourth floor of the hospital at about 1:11 a.m., and learned from staff that Bonnette physically assaulted at least three staff members and attempted to commit rape against one of the three.

Additional fourth floor staff and security personnel were able to subdue and restrain Bonnette before police arrived on scene.

Bonnette was arraigned and held on $100,000 bail.

The injured staff members were evaluated and discharged, and personal, individualized counseling has been offered, according to news release issued by Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Staff with the Employee Assistance Program and Chaplain Services are working with them and other affected staff.

The medical center’s Patient Experience Team is visiting with patients and visitors on the unit to address any concerns or questions.

“We are dedicated to supporting the involved staff and their families in any way they may need it, and we commend the multiple staff members who quickly and selflessly intervened to help their colleague,” the news release says.

Hospital leadership is preparing a root cause analysis evaluation of the incident and has notified all appropriate regulatory agencies as required for such incidents, according to the news release.