what to know
Amanda Burke was working in the NICU at Good Samaritan Hospital in February 2023 when video taken by the baby’s father through the nursery window captured the alleged acts. Burke was fired, accused of endangering the well-being of a child and was forwarded to the New York State Education Department, Office of Professional Discipline for review. A spokesperson for the Suffolk County District Attorney says they plan to continue prosecuting the case. Burke’s next court date is at the end of August.
NEW YORK — A 29-year-old Long Island nurse fired after a now-viral video showed her roughly picking up a newborn baby and hitting the prone child in a bassinet, has been cleared by a state misconduct agency.
Amanda Burke was working in the NICU at Good Samaritan Hospital in February 2023 when video taken by the baby’s father through the nursery window captured the alleged acts. The boy’s parents showed the hospital and confronted the nurse, speaking to NBC New York in February.
“I told her ‘I don’t want you to touch my son, you just hit him,'” said Consuelo Saravia, the mother, “and she told me ‘Oh no, if you think I mistreated him or something, I’m sorry.'”
Burke was fired, charged with endangering the welfare of a child, and was referred to the New York State Education Department’s Office of Professional Discipline for review. A letter obtained by NBC New York shows the state’s investigation is complete and they found Burke’s actions “do not constitute professional misconduct,” saying the conduct involved “alleged simple negligence,” not “gross negligence.”
“There was nothing Amanda did that would warrant them taking any action,” said her attorney, Robert Gottlieb.
“That is absolutely absurd,” said mom-to-be Courtney Scarola of Islip, who had seen the video before. “That’s why my next one won’t be in daycare. I wouldn’t feel safe at all having her around any of my children.”
“I don’t think it’s correct because in that little video snippet,” said Catherine Barbera of East Islip. “It seems like a very tough move.”
Burke doesn’t currently work as a nurse, but Gottlieb says she can because her license was never suspended.
“I remain eternally hopeful and optimistic,” Gottlieb said, “that the prosecutor will realize that this case does not belong in criminal court.”
A spokesperson for the Suffolk County District Attorney says they plan to continue prosecuting the case. Burke’s next court date is at the end of August.
The baby’s parents were not available to comment on the latest developments.
2023-07-27 01:53:42
#Long #Island #nurse #beating #newborn #faces #charges
