Police say a Johnstown woman is behind bars after she assaulted a pregnant nurse at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center.
According to the Johnstown Police Department, 29-year-old Stephanie Beppler is facing charges related to aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, harassment and aggravated assault of an unborn child.
Monday, Northern Cambria police had dropped Beppler off at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, according to a criminal complaint.
Police say Beppler was in the triage room when a nurse walked in to remove a scale.
That’s when police say Beppler quickly stood up out of her chair and stood between the nurse and the door, trapping her.
According to the complaint, the nurse tried to use the scale as a buffer between herself and Beppler, but Beppler began “violently” punching her in the stomach area.
Police say, by this time, other hospital staff intervened and allowed the nurse to escape.
The nurse was reportedly 22 weeks pregnant and had to get an ultrasound after she told officials she was feeling pain after the alleged attack.
Police say Beppler was taken into custody and transported to the Johnstown Public Safety Building.
She’s now being lodged in the Cambria County Prison after she couldn’t post bail, according to court documents.
