Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – March 28, 2024 – A Blytheville man was released on his own recognizance Wednesday, March 27, after he completed a mental health evaluation, according court documents.

Special Judge Barbara Halsey made the decision Wednesday in Jonesboro District Court.

Jonesboro police Officer Homero Gonzalez suffered a bloody lip and a nurse was spit on at St. Bernards Medical Center on Monday morning, March 25, according to Jonesboro police. JonesboroRightNow covered the story here.

Gonzalez wrote in a report that while working security at the hospital he was called to the Intensive Care Unit about a disturbance by a mental patient. A 34 year old male is accused of striking Gonzalez and spitting on a 44-year-old nurse and was subsequently arrested.

The suspect is charged with one count of second-degree battery on a police, fire, or correctional officer, one count of second-degree battery on an emergency medical technician, one count of disorderly conduct, and one count of resisting arrest.

According to a probable cause affidavit, when Gonzalez arrived at the ICU he saw the suspect standing next to his bed yelling and cursing at the hospital staff. It was the second time security had been called about the suspect’s behavior. The suspect had been admitted to the hospital for an overdose of fentanyl and marijuana.