[PHOTO CREDIT: Lifestream / Facebook]
[Original Publish Date: 07/06/20]
LEESBURG, Florida — A patient at LifeStream Behavioral Center was arrested Thursday, accused of biting an employee’s fingertip off and chipping her bone last month, according to an arrest affidavit.
On June 28, Leesburg Police responded to LifeStream Behavioral Center, 2020 Tally Road, Leesburg on a report of a battery. The responding officer found that Chris S. Brodmerkel, 36, of Homosassa, had injured an employee and the employee had been taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center.
On Tuesday, LPD continued to investigate and witnesses said Brodmerkel was causing a disturbance on the morning of June 28 and two employees escorted him to his room. A third employee began to assist and Brodmerkel began swinging his arms; the third employee grabbed Brodmerkel’s arm and he bit her, severing the tip of her right index finger, according to the affidavit.
Employees asked Brodmerkel what he did with the severed fingertip and, “he acknowledged severing the victim’s finger and advised he spat the tip of the digit out,” the affidavit states. One witness observed a large amount of blood in Brodmerkel’s mouth and asked him why he did it and he allegedly said, “jaw sharks were attacking,” and stated something about someone named Diego, according to the affidavit.
The victim’s fingertip was surgically reattached, but she may suffer permanent damage, she told police. Brodmerkel was charged with aggravated battery and released from the Lake County Jail on $5,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
