Boise, Idaho — On Tuesday afternoon, St. Luke’s hospital went into lockdown for about an hour, telling staff not to enter or exit the facility due to a “security incident” relating to Ammon Bundy.
Before the lockdown, there had been several days of protests and social media campaigns over a child protection case involving the grandson of Diego Rodriguez, an associate of Bundy, reports the Idaho Capital Sun. The protestors and Bundy wanted the baby boy to be returned to his parents.
The child protection issue began March 4 when hospital staff determined the child was malnourished. After being hospitalized for three days, he was discharged and handed over to his parents.
However, according to Meridian Police, “During a follow-up appointment earlier this week it was determined the child had again lost a significant amount of weight and when the parents canceled the next follow-up appointment and could not be located, the Meridian Police were contacted and advised this child’s condition could lead to severe injury or even death if not treated.”
Healthcare providers are required by law to notify authorities if they think a child is in danger.
Law enforcement and child protective services repeatedly tried to reach the infant boy’s parents and ask them to bring the child back in for another exam. Police eventually were able to get the child and take him back to the hospital after conducting a traffic stop on the baby’s father’s vehicle, reports KATV.
Bundy and his followers claim the hospital “medically kidnapped” the baby. He was arrested on Friday for trespassing when he refused to leave St. Luke’s property.
Bundy is a far-right activist, and he is running for governor in Idaho as an independent candidate. He has a long track record of run-ins with law enforcement, including in October 2020 when he refused to wear a mask during his son’s high school football game.
