Hospital placed on lockdown amid call for protest

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A major Boise hospital went on lockdown for about an hour Tuesday after far-right activist Ammon Bundy urged supporters to go the facility in protest of a child protection case involving one of his family friends.

St. Luke's Health System put the Boise Medical Center on lockdown and began diverting incoming patients about 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

"Safety is our top priority," the hospital said in a statement. "At this time, anyone in need of care should seek alternative health care providers and options. We ask that people please avoid the area near the Boise hospital until further notice."

Several police cars from the Idaho State Police and Boise Police Department responded to the hospital for the protest.

A few dozen protesters stationed themselves outside various hospital doors and buildings, some speculating on social media about whether the facility could be accessed via underground tunnels. The protesters appeared to mostly stay on sidewalks, however, and the lockdown was lifted shortly before 3 p.m.

Earlier in the day, Bundy released a statement on YouTube warning that if an acquaintance's young child was not returned to the family after a hearing Tuesday afternoon, that "patriot groups" would take action.*

Bundy later released another video telling people that child protection workers were poised to move the baby from the hospital to a foster home, and telling them to show up at the facility immediately.

The baby was temporarily removed from from family custody last Friday after officials determined the 10-month-old was "suffering from severe malnourishment" and at risk of injury or death, according to a statement from police in the city of Meridian near Boise.

The baby's parents had refused to let officers check on the child's welfare after the family canceled a medical appointment, the police statement said.

Bundy, who is well-known for participating in armed standoffs with law enforcement, was arrested the following day on a misdemeanor trespassing charge after he protested at a different hospital where he believed the baby was being treated.

Bundy's People's Rights group has characterized the

Brodie Johnson • Times-Herald Kendall Owens, right, a candidate for a St. Francis County Quorum Court seat, draws for a position on the May Preferential Primary Ballot from a hat held by SFC Election Commissioner Frederick Freeman. Owens is running as a Democrat for the JP District 10 seat against Victor Stegall and Arthor Witherspoon, who also filed as Democrats. Incumbent Leodis Williams did not file for reelection.