Crime & Safety
UPDATE: Victim of Lighthouse Tavern Beating Now In Stable Condition
Patient was taken off the respirator and most sedatives, his father says
A Barnegat resident who suffered severe injuries after an incident at the Lighthouse Tavern in Waretown on March 17, is showing signs of recovery, his family said.
Robert Bethanis, 44, who had been taken to the Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune unconscious more than a month ago, stayed sedated and on the respirator for , but, according to his father, Robert Bethanis, 63, the patient has just been taken off "most sedatives," and moved out of intensive care.
"Bob has shown good improvement since the last update," Bethanis said. "He is breathing on his own with assistance from just oxygen. He has been moved out of the intensive care unit to another room where a nurse sits with him 24 hours a day."
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"He is stable," said Maureen Gillespie, spokeswoman for the hospital.
Michael Lombardo, 36, of Barnegat, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and attempted murder after witnesses said they saw Lombardo striking Bethanis that night repeatedly with hands and feet.
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Lombardo is out on $150,000 bail, with the case still in development and the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office not releasing further .
Bethanis said his son still has a long way to go to complete recovery, though the family is taking it one step at a time. Bethanis said it doesn't seem as though the patient recognizes his loved ones for now.
"He does know someone is there talking to him, but I can't say he knows who it is or that he can communicate with us at this time," Bethanis said.
"Doctors tell us this can take some time after a trauma. We do know at this time that when Bob reaches the point he is released from Jersey Shore Medical Center, he will most likely be going to a rehabilitation center for neurological and physical therapy as an inpatient for what appears to be quite some time."
As always, Bethanis asked for the community's continued support, even though no one except family members is allowed to visit the patient as of now.
"Please keep Bob in your thoughts and prayers," Bethanis said.
