Home Health Nurse Held Hostage at Work by Patient’s Grandson, Fights Back and Escapes
A routine home health visit in Loxley, Alabama turned into a life-threatening emergency when a nurse was held at gunpoint by a resident in September 2025. The incident highlights the serious safety risks that home healthcare professionals face while providing essential care in patients' homes.
According to reports from local authorities, 56-year-old Lavann Callier was arrested after allegedly holding a home health nurse against her will at gunpoint inside his residence on Hillard Jenkins Road. The nurse, who was providing care to Callier's elderly grandmother, demonstrated remarkable presence of mind during the terrifying ordeal.
"We believe that he was intoxicated," explained Sgt. Zach Kuiken with Loxley Police. "He lived there with his grandmother and made some advances towards a home health nurse on the second floor of the residence. The home health nurse tried to get away from him and at that time he produced a twenty-two rifle and tried to command her. Took her cell phone so she couldn't call for help."
Despite having her phone confiscated, the nurse managed to fight back against her captor and escape to a neighbor's home where she called for help. Her quick thinking and decisive action likely prevented the situation from escalating further.
The incident triggered a significant law enforcement response, including the deployment of Baldwin County SWAT teams after Callier barricaded himself inside the home with his elderly grandmother. Fortunately, the standoff was resolved without major injuries, though Callier sustained minor injuries during his arrest.
Following his arrest, Callier appeared before Baldwin County District Judge Michael Hoyt for a bond hearing. He faces serious charges including robbery and resisting arrest, and is being held on $101,000 bond. Court records indicate he has until October 21, 2025, to request a preliminary hearing.
As the demand for home-based healthcare continues to grow, particularly with an aging population preferring to receive care at home, addressing the safety concerns of the professionals who provide this essential service remains critically important. This incident in Loxley serves as a powerful reminder that while home health nursing offers many rewards, it also requires vigilance, preparation, and organizational support to ensure the safety of those delivering care in the community.
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