Ex-Suffolk Nurse Charged With Slamming Baby: DA

WEST ISLIP, NY — A registered nurse was arrested and charged Wednesday after prosecutors said she lifted a 2-day- old newborn and slammed him face down at Good Samaritan University Hospital.

Amanda Burke, 29, of Holbrook, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, officials said.

On Feb. 6, Burke, who was then employed at the hospital and working in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, was assigned to care for the 2-day-old infant. Burke approached the newborn, who was lying in a bassinet, lifted him up, quickly flipped him over, and violently slammed him face down on the bassinet, District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said.

The infant's father recorded video of the incident on his cell phone through the nursery window. After viewing the recording, the infant’s mother confronted Burke, prosecutors said.

When the parents notified other members of Good Samaritan Hospital’s nursing staff of Burke’s actions, Burke was directed to leave the hospital, and her employment was terminated within hours of the incident, officials said.

She was also reported to the state Department of Health for further review.

Burke surrendered to the Suffolk County Police Department Wednesday morning and as required by current New York State Law, was issued a desk appearance ticket. Burke will appear at First District Court on May 2 for arraignment.

Robert Gottlieb, Esq., Burke's attorney, said that she is a "caring" nurse, and it is "preposterous" that the case was filed in criminal court.

"Amanda is an exceptional, caring, compassionate nurse who has always provided exceptional care to every infant in her charge without exception," said Gottlieb. "This case does not belong in criminal court. And we will conclusively prove that Amanda did not end would not ever in danger. An infant who she is taking care of. Never."

The infant's family said the child is in good health.