The family of a Rockville Centre Mercy Hospital security guard is seeking answers from his employer and justice after their loved one was severely beaten by a patient while he protected a doctor.

The wife and children of Gardy Coriolan, 63, who has worked at Mercy for the past 28 years, said Tuesday he remained in a coma with 90% brain damage. Coriolan was assaulted about midnight Thursday and then went into cardiac arrest.

Nassau County prosecutors charged Eduard Lopez, 28, of Freeport, with second-degree assault after police said he allegedly punched Coriolan in the face causing him to fall on a bed in pain, according to court records.

Lopez was a patient in the emergency department at Mercy Hospital, where officials said security responded "and de-escalated the situation. A short

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