WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – A man was sentenced on March 10 for an attack on two New Hanover Regional Medical Center employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to evidence presented in court, Rothwell Jacob Simmons was involuntarily committed to the hospital for help with his mental illness. He was not seen for over three days in the emergency room and was wandering the hallways.

On Jan. 18, 2022, Simmons walked behind the nurses’ desk, came up behind one, and started choking her. Another nurse saw what was happening and when she tried to stop him, he started choking her.

He was sentenced to a minimum of 58 and a maximum of 82 months for his assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill. 5 to 15 months were suspended for his strangulation charge and he was credited 1147 days for time served.

Simmons was also ordered to have no contact with the victims or their families.

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