I don't know what to make of it. (Except for the ching-ching part, which seems pretty clear.) :-)

My first thought was to wonder if he'd been drinking. Like you say, it makes no sense to take a newborn out for some fresh air in the middle of winter. And why in the world would he put himself in a position of physical confrontation while he's holding a baby??

I can understand anyone--Kennedy or not--getting their back up when being told by hospital personnel that they can't leave the premises with their own baby. But why he'd want to is beyond me. And what's with that physician who accompanied him?

Another situation where the "upper crust" believe that the rules apply to everyone but themselves.

As long as that baby is in the care of the hospital, it should stay there. He should have gotten the ok to take baby out from the doctor. It's a hospital rule. Not a nurse rule. He could have taken the baby but then the care of the hospital would be void. Like going home before the doctor gives his ok. Kennedy should not be pushing anyone down. The nurses didn't know he was leaving until he was leaving, they certainly didn't plan this. I wouldn't sue but I don't blame them for thinking about it.

When I worked at a hospital Code Pink was extremely serious. Every baby had a sensor bracelet and if it was taken past a certain point, it set off alerts. If Code Pink was announced, every employee went to an entry and challenged anyone with a bag big enough to hold a baby. The nurses were doing their job and even could have been fired for not stopping him.

What a jerk. Keeping up the Kennedy family tradition. And who takes a newborn out for fresh air??

This is the first time I have heard about it. But that does not make it right. Rules are rules. Guess some think they are above the law.

I guess I missed this news.....which Kennedy?

Not a big fan of the Kennedys but I did read the news and watched the video.

The security tape (as shown) doesn't support the nurses' statements. He did step out of the elevator to talk to them. They grabbed at him. He didn't attack them.

I always question when people go on the talk show circuit for their moment of fame.

He was guilty of trying to sidestep rules. The nurses were clearly guilty of assault.

He should have made sure he cleared the walk outdoors (and we still don't know that he didn't) and they should have never grabbed at him that way.

As far as I can tell the baby was still in the hospital only because the mother had a c section. Had it been a vaginal birth the babe would be home and getting all the fresh air the parents wished to give it.

First of all I'm wondering why mom and baby are still in the hospital if the baby is three days old. I was always released from the hospital by then. Second, I haven't heard his side of the story so I cannot venture an opinion. And last but not least, the nurses shouldn't have attempted to stop him, they should have just called security immediately and avoided a confrontation. JMO

I try to not get concerned about things that have no bearing on my life. If Joe Shmoe had done this, it wouldn't make the news. I pay attention to the Kennedys or any other public figure when it involves issues of political import that may affect me.

My boys were born in a hospital where a baby had been kidnapped several years previous. We were not allowed to leave the room with the baby. Same thing with dd who was born in a hospital in another state. We were given detailed instructions on who was allowed to take the baby. Everyone had to have a picture ID.

I think the nurses were in the right. I suspect the rules and security measures were explained in advance particularly for a family as well known as the Kennedys. IMO, this guy deserves to get his butt kicked in court.

I agree, kick his stupid butt. From what I understand it was pretty cold outside. Why did the baby need cold air? This story reeks of diception. I hope this act is a felony. He is not above the law.

I'm agreeing with Ruthie and Toni.

Bad deal all the way around though.
But if he had obeyed the rules there would be no lawsuit.

I do think the nurses were right in trying to stop him before he could get off the floor.

When my oldest DGS was born, it was in a good sized town in Iowa. Much bigger then 2500 people we have here. LOL DSIL was walking the halls with him in his arms while DD was trying to catch a little sleep. Apparently there was a point DSIL wasn't supposed to pass with the baby. I am not sure if he knew the point or not, I would say so. But anyway he got ONE step from it and bells and whistles and alarms were going off. Hunter had some sort of bracelet on his leg. I think he told me later he knew there was no chance of babynapping in that place! lol

I am glad to not be a celebrity, especially a Kennedy. Easy targets.

we have 4 kids and nine grands...not one of the dads ever thought of taking the kids anywhere! sorry but while it wasn't handled as quietly as possible, it was handled...besides, what if the nurses hadn't met kennedy to begin with...dh and i are assuming this was a very "high end" hospital who probably cater to all sorts of $$$$patients and have very strict codes of concern...

He's one of the Robert Kennedy children...a number of the males, and a cousin on their mother's side have been in trouble over the years. It's a shame to brand their Kennedy cousins who seemed to turn out all right.

This particular Kennedy hasn't been in trouble before, at least not as far as I know. He and his wife, Molly, have two or three other children.

I think there seems to be over reaction on both sides. He sounds like a big jerk. But this father of the baby "breaking the rules" by taking the baby outside is not the same thing as a newborn being abducted, which is what a Code Pink would be indicating. I don't think that a nurse in this situation should have laid a finger on Kennedy, nor blocked his way. Verbal intervention was as far as it should have gone, imho, then security should have been called. The nurses must have know this was "Mister Kennedy", the baby's father, & where was the ~real~ danger here? Their getting physically involved put the baby in jeopardy, it seems. Not that he had ANY right to act in the way that he did physically toward the nurses.

I also think the nurses are VERY wrong in going on the Today Show & discussing this. Not professional, imho. They are blowing it up because of who he is. Again, I don't think Kennedy handled the situation right at all & he sounds like a difficult person to deal with. But he's not the first one ever to have misbehaved on that nursing unit... of that, I'm sure.

I would be interested to know how the hospital's policy is written in this regard. I would be surprised if it says for nurses to "physically intervene".

I think the man is an idiot - no one takes a newborn off the floor - they have security controls in place and in most places you have to be buzzed in and out of the ward. Who in their right mind thinks that a baby needs fresh air? There must have been a reason they were still in the hospital when the baby was 3 days old - and why would every nurse on the floor automatically know that he was the father. Nurses rotate such crazy schedules these days that the nurses on duty at that time might never have seen him before. They are responsible for the safety and well being of the children on that unit.

When I had our babies in the hospital, other than in your room, you were not even allowed to walk around in the hallways or anywhere with them in your arms - they had to be in a bassinet thingie to be transported around the unit. If he had gone outside and something happened, everyone would be up in arms about the hospital not lookig out for the infant. The hospital staff is in a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.

I think he may have been drinking or on something. It was a winter night and he wants to take a newborn outside in a cotton receiving blanket and a thin cotton hat? He is nuts--and a real jerk. That baby was not dressed for it.

A close friend lived by the Kennedy's in Massachusetts, and she said that the attitude among the Kennedy males was that there were different rules for them, that they were privileged folks.

I think it was overreaction on both parts and shameful reaction by those (alleged) "nurses". I agree with beeohio who made several points well.

For the "nurse" to dive at the baby as she did was reprehensible and indefensible. THAT is child endangerment and she should be so charged. Her attack on Kennedy and now feigning injury is disgusting.

Another example of bigheaded people trying to exercise their perceived authority, exaggerating things (this certainly was not a code pink) and malfeasance in their jobs. Nurse Rambo should be fired. Period.

In a hospital the baby belongs to the MOTHER until it is discharged. The nurses were doing their job and could have been fired if they didn't react. End of story.
Joann

I know for sure that hospitals are very careful with newborns, since there have been occasional mix-ups with babies and kidnappings. They are careful with the bracelets and must know where each child is every second. I'm tired of hearing about the Kennedys. This generation seems to think they are above the law and rules don't apply to them.

In my opinion the Kennedy's have always had a sense of entitlement. Rules have never applied to them.

If his name wasn't Kennedy we would not even know it happened.