BATH, NY – A 29-year-old Bath resident is facing numerous charges after allegedly assaulting a nurse at Ira Davenport Hospital and later attacking law enforcement officers during his arrest and processing.
Richard L. Freeland was arrested on May 23, 2025, following an incident at the Steuben County medical facility that began during a routine patient evaluation and escalated into a multi-stage confrontation with both medical staff and law enforcement.
Hospital Incident
The incident began when New York State Police responded to Ira Davenport Hospital at approximately 8:34 a.m. after receiving a dispatch from Steuben County 911 regarding an assault. According to the initial investigation, Freeland was undergoing evaluation at the facility when an altercation occurred with nursing staff.
The victim, a nurse providing care to Freeland, reported being intentionally elbowed in the nose during the incident. The assault caused physical injury requiring medical attention. Troopers interviewed the victim upon arrival and determined that Freeland had deliberately struck the healthcare worker.
Arrest and Additional Charges
Freeland was placed under arrest at the hospital without initial incident and transported to State Police Bath for processing. However, the situation quickly deteriorated once in custody.
While being processed, Freeland became combative and engaged in multiple criminal acts, including:
- Attempting to tamper with evidence by concealing a New York State Police body camera
- Stealing New York State Police property
- Causing physical damage to state property, including handcuffs, leg shackles, and a patrol room wall
- Attempting to strike and spit on Troopers, successfully spitting on at least one officer
Identity Fraud Discovery
During the investigation, police discovered that Freeland had provided false identification information upon his admission to the hospital, leading to an additional charge of falsifying business records.
Comprehensive Charges Filed
Freeland now faces nine separate charges ranging from felonies to violations:
Felony Charges:
- Assault 2nd Degree (D Felony)
- Tampering with Physical Evidence (E Felony)
Misdemeanor Charges:
- Three counts of Criminal Mischief 4th Degree
- Two counts of Petit Larceny
- Falsifying Business Records
- Resisting Arrest
- Obstruction of Governmental Administration
Violations:
- Two counts of Harassment 2nd Degree
Following processing, Freeland was transported to the Steuben County Jail where he awaited CAP (Centralized Arraignment Part) arraignment.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by healthcare workers and law enforcement in managing combative individuals during medical evaluations and arrests.
