Nurses held hostage in Chicago-area hospital standoff sue

CHICAGO (AP) - Two nurses held hostage by a jail inmate this month at a suburban Chicago hospital allege in a federal lawsuit that they were violently assaulted by the man who was known to be a "danger" to hospital staff.

The women allege Tywon Salters was a known "high security risk," yet during his hospital stay one officer assigned to watch him was found sleeping and another unshackled him. Their suit names Kane County corrections officers and a private security company.

Police fatally shot Salters on May 13 at Delnor Hospital in Geneva. He was being hospitalized when he took an officer's gun.

The nurses allege they were beaten. One says she was sexually assaulted.

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, alleges the officers and company didn't follow procedures.

The sheriff's department referred questions to the state's attorney, who declined comment.