Harvey hospital employee charged with beating juvenile patient

An employee at Ingalls Memorial Hospital charged with throwing and choking a juvenile patient last month in south suburban Harvey is free on bond.

Steven Pleasant, 46, was arrested Tuesday and charged with aggravated battery, according to report provided by a spokesman for the city of Harvey.

On Jan. 25, Pleasant was working in the Gorman Center Behavior Unit at the hospital when he grabbed the juvenile by the arms and threw him across the room into a food court, according to the report. He then placed the victim into a chokehold, which lasted 18-25 seconds.

Pleasant became angry when the victim asked another staff member for juice, according to the report.

He has since terminated from his job at the hospital, according to spokeswoman Kim Garrison, who declined to comment further.

Pleasant was freed after posting 10 percent of a $50,000 bond on Wednesday, according to Cook County Circuit Court records. His next court date is March 17.