Bronx Nurse Blames “Soft-on-Crime” Laws for Assault
A nurse in the Bronx has spoken out about her alleged assault by an undocumented immigrant with a history of targeting female medical workers, blaming New York City’s “soft-on-crime” laws for her attack. Chelsea Mora, a nurse at Jacobi Medical Center, recounted her experience of being struck by Edward Johnson while trying to take his vitals on January 13. Johnson, who is believed to have entered the US illegally over a decade ago, has been arrested 23 times and has allegedly attacked hospital workers in multiple incidents since 2019.
Four months before assaulting Mora, Johnson had reportedly attacked emergency room doctor Colleen Leahy at St. Barnabas. Leahy revealed that she was attacked by him in both September and July of 2022. Mora emphasized that her attacker should never have been released back onto the streets, stating that he had over 20 open cases against him.
The nurse suffered a corneal hematoma from the assault and developed PTSD as a result. She expressed her frustration that healthcare workers often bear the brunt of such attacks and that mental health disorders are frequently used as an excuse. Mora called for those who are mentally disabled to be institutionalized rather than allowed back on the streets.
Johnson was arrested and charged with assault following the incident, but he was released on supervised release two days later. However, he failed to comply with the conditions of his release and is currently on the run. A warrant for his arrest was issued last month and the case is being presented to a grand jury.
Mora criticized New York City’s “soft-on-crime” laws for allowing Johnson to be released repeatedly despite his history of attacking hospital workers. She expressed her disappointment at learning that he was in the country illegally and had been given numerous chances.
The nurse’s sentiments were echoed by Dr. Leahy, who revealed that she fears for her safety every day at work since she was attacked twice by Johnson. Leahy questioned why he was repeatedly released after being in custody and called for greater protection for healthcare workers.
This case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding crime and public safety in New York City. Critics argue that lenient laws contribute to a cycle of violence and endanger the lives of healthcare professionals. As the search for Johnson continues, questions are being raised about the effectiveness of the current criminal justice system in dealing with repeat offenders.