Ex-Hospital Worker's Spicy Sprinkle of Spirituality

Bronxville police were called to Lawrence Hospital Center on Friday night, after an employee reported finding a brown powdery substance on the floor in two rooms in the basement.

At about 9:30 p.m., an employee of the hospital discovered the substance. Around the same time, the employee saw an ex-employee leaving the area, Bronxville Police Chief Christopher Satriale said.

Police responded to the scene, closing off Palmer Ave. and Pondfield Road West and restricting activity in the area where the substance was, police said. The roads were closed from approximately 9:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.

The Eastchester Fire Department and the Westchester County Hazardous Material team were also on the scene.

Officers identified the ex-employee, spoke with her and determined that she spread nutmeg throughout the two rooms based on a spiritual belief that it would help her be at rest and forget about her employment with the hospital, Chief Satriale said.

Lawrence Hospital had no further comment on the matter.