Baton Rouge hospital adds security protocols after attempted kidnapping

John Rupolo
·2 min read

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge is adding new security measures after a woman was accused of trying to kidnap a baby from the children’s hospital.

“Fortunately, this was an isolated incident, the first of its kind on our campus,” said Jonathan Brouk, President of Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health.

Brouk sent a message to the public Thursday morning after the attempted kidnapping of a 9-month-old baby last week. The child was a patient in the pediatric intensive care unit.

“Let me reassure you that there was no chance that a child was leaving one of our patient care areas with this person,” said Brouk.

According to police, 21-year-old Dinesty Selmon made several visits to the hospital beginning in February casing rooms and obtaining a parent/caregiver badge when she did not have a child in the hospital.

Baton Rouge hospital releases statement after woman accused of trying to kidnap baby

“Intentionally subverted our security protocols through lies and other forms of deceit,” said Brouk.

Police say she returned to the hospital several times even after being escorted out of a restricted area by hospital staff. Her boyfriend eventually contacted a nurse after he visited an infant in the hospital with Selmon who claimed the child was their son.

Selmon was transferred to Baton Rouge on March 28 from Bossier City to face attempted kidnapping and seven counts of unauthorized entry of a business.

“Despite what has been reported there was no access to any child’s protected electronic medical records,” said Brouk.

Following the arrest, the hospital says it has implemented new security protocols. Effective immediately, each parent will have to provide the names of four visitors. When visiting a guest, they will need to provide a valid ID.

“Our staff will check the approved guest list at hospital entrances and again when you enter one of our units,” said Brouk.

Anybody not wearing a validated sticker will be stopped by security.

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“For those who have questions about bringing their children here as a result of that, what do you say to them?” asked BRProud investigative reporter John Rupolo.

“We have a long legacy of providing healing care in this community,” said Brouk.

Brouk said the hospital plans an “extensive formal review of campus security.”

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