Belleville woman accused of beating St. Elizabeth’s nurses

A Belleville woman faces aggravated battery charges after police said she kicked and hit two nurses at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.

Debra M. Benesh, 49, was charged Monday by St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly.

The charges stated that Benesh kicked Erica Chamness and hit Kahli Saunders, nurses engaged in the performance of their duties, in the emergency room of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital on Oct. 28.

Benesh has been charged eight times with disorderly conduct. Five of those cases have been dismissed. She received probation on the three others. She has also been charged four times with being a pedestrian under the influence of alcohol. One case is pending. Two cases were dismissed. She was convicted of one case.

Benesh remains in St. Clair County Jail in lieu of $30,000 bail.

This story was originally published November 9, 2015 at 12:01 PM with the headline "Belleville woman accused of beating St. Elizabeth’s nurses."