Hinesville woman sentenced for attacking hospital staff

HINESVILLE, Ga. (WSAV) – A federal court has sentenced a woman for attacking medical professionals at Fort Stewart.

Christie F. Oxendine , 35, of Hinesville, Ga., was sentenced to 16 months in prison for Obstructing and Hindering Emergency Professionals, along with misdemeanor counts of simple battery and disorderly conduct. Oxendine was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of her prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

“While family members and patients will occasionally disagree on standards of care in medical facilities, it is inexcusable to physically attack and disrupt the work of health care professionals,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “This sentence of incarceration makes clear that violent and abusive behavior will not be tolerated.”

As described during the trial, Oxendine brought her minor child to the Winn Army Community Hospital at Fort Stewart for treatment. Despite not having any medical training, Oxendine demanded that medical staff perform specific procedures during that treatment even though those procedures were not medically recommended, not part of the standard of care and potentially more dangerous for her child.

Oxendine became verbally and physically abusive when staff members attempted to continue treatment. She then proceeded to unhook her minor child from medical equipment and began forcibly removing her from the hospital.

Staff members then attempted to prevent Oxendine’s exit but she shoved one pregnant nurse and pushed another into a wall while yelling at them and using profane language.

Military police officers were called to remove the child from Oxendine’s vehicle for continued treatment, and Oxendine was banned from the facility.

Oxendine was convicted after a two-day trial in April on all counts.