Missouri Woman Gets 20 Years for Brutal Hospital Stabbing as Nurse Recalls: ‘I Would Have Been Dead in Minutes’

A woman was sentenced to 20 years in prison in connection with a stabbing incident in July 2022. She stabbed a nurse and an EMT inside a hospital in St. Louis County, authorities said.

The accused, Jimissa Rivers, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree assault and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Rivers was ordered to serve her sentence with the Missouri Department of Corrections and will receive credit for time already served before sentencing.

The victim, Nancy Tammy Scott, was working at SSM Health DePaul Hospital when the attack happened in the triage unit. “Out of nowhere, I looked over and standing above me was Ms. Rivers, with a butcher knife,” Scott said.

“I would not have survived if I were not in a hospital. I had an artery severely damaged. I would have been dead in a matter of minutes,” Scott added.

Scott said she had to save her own life after the stabbing by applying pressure to her wound and walking herself to get medical care. Scott’s carotid artery and right facial nerve were severely injured in the stabbing.

Kayla McMahan, who was working as an EMT at the time, was also attacked by Rivers. Both victims survived.

According to investigators, Rivers entered the triage area and attacked with a knife. The incident led to the creation of a healthcare violence unit in St. Louis County, aimed at holding people accountable and protecting frontline workers.

“It is because of her and Kayla in this case that we have created a dedicated hospital violence unit. They are true heroes,” said St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Prince-Smith. She added that the office will hold accountable those who assault healthcare workers.

The victims said the attack could have been prevented, noting that staff had requested increased security, but the authorities responded only after the attack.

“After our attack, the very next day, suddenly they had metal detectors, and they placed security 24/7 at the triage. If this had been done a day ahead, this wouldn’t have happened,” Scott said.

McMohan said healthcare workers get assaulted often and that many cases are not prosecuted.

In court, Rivers told the judge that she had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2021 and has been on medication for the last four years.

Both victims said they are working to turn their trauma into change. “Yes, this happened, and yes, it was terrible, but we are working towards change now. We are all working for something that will benefit all of us,” McMahon said.