NBC News reported an investigation is underway into an anonymous bomb threat at Boston Children’s Hospital Tuesday evening. The threat comes after weeks of harassment resulting from an online campaign of transphobic misinformation that’s led to a barrage of similar threats targeting Boston Children’s Hospital doctors and staff who care for transgender kids.
Reports NBC News:
The hospital said it is working with law enforcement and outside experts after it received the anonymous bomb threat, and it moved quickly to protect patients and employees.
“We are relieved no bomb was found and that employees and patients are safe,” it said. “We remain vigilant in our efforts to battle the spread of false information about the hospital and our caregivers. We are committed to ensuring the hospital is a safe and secure place for all who work here and come here. We will provide additional information as we are able.”
The Boston Police Department said it sent in a bomb squad to the children’s medical center at about 8:14 p.m., but no suspicious items were recovered or located.
“It’s still an active investigation,” Detective John Boyle said by phone Wednesday morning.
Patricia MacArthur-Doval, who was at the hospital at the time, told NBC Boston that she was “really scared” and had to leave her child who was in the newborn intensive care unit.
“I just want to make sure my kid’s safe and, if anything bad is going to happen, I’d rather be with him,” she said before being able to re-enter the facility. The hospital was a recent target of the right-wing harassment campaigns that have gone after medical facilities for their work with trans youths. It’s part of a growing trend of anti-LGBTQ sentiment that has also affected libraries and schools.
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