Belmont Pines Hospital vandalized, 3 juveniles charged after 'disturbance'

LIBERTY TWP, Ohio - Three male juveniles have been charged after police responded to a disturbance at Belmont Pines Hospital Monday night. Liberty Township police were advised that the juveniles were assaulting staff and damaging the behavioral health facility.
According to the police report, two staff members were assaulted by the juveniles prior to officer arrival, nearly breaking the arm of the staff member who called the police.
Upon police arrival, the three juveniles were found hanging from the ceiling of the facility, ripping wires out of the ceiling, triggering the hospital's fire alarm the report states. Police say they also found the ventilation systems and a "large number" of ceiling tiles ripped out — wires, vents and bent metal rods were seen hanging from the ceiling, according to the police report. Staff additionally allege, in the report, that the suspects caused significant damage to the nursing station, ceiling and windows of the facility.
The juveniles were patients of the facility and, according to the police report, "the damage caused to the facility prevented the other patients from receiving their proper care."
All three juveniles admitted to causing the damage and were charged with assault, vandalism, inducing panic and disrupting public service, the report states.
Police took all three juveniles into custody Monday. The motive for the incident is unclear and police say the investigation is ongoing.
