A New Ringgold man was jailed after allegedly assaulting a nurse and kicking a police officer during a disturbance at a Pottsville hospital Wednesday evening.
According to the Pottsville Bureau of Police, officers were dispatched to Lehigh Valley Hospital at approximately 7:08 p.m. on September 9 for a report of a violent patient.
Upon arrival, officers found Daniel Yates, 27, involved in a physical altercation with hospital staff and police. As officers attempted to restrain him, Yates allegedly kicked an officer in the face and continued resisting.
Police said officers eventually secured Yates in handcuffs and held him on the ground while hospital staff attempted to administer medication. During that process, Yates allegedly gained control of a syringe.
An officer used a Taser in drive-stun mode to get Yates to release the syringe, according to the release. Officers and hospital staff recovered the syringe, and the medication was administered.
Yates was then moved to a hospital bed, where police said he continued to resist officers and staff before being restrained. He was transferred to the emergency department for further evaluation and treatment.
During the investigation, a nurse told police that Yates had punched the nurse in the face twice before other hospital employees intervened.
After being medically cleared, Yates was released into police custody and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge James K. Lengel on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest and persistent disorderly conduct.
Bail was set at $75,000 straight cash. Yates was committed to Schuylkill County Prison following his arraignment.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 21, 2026.