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A Long Island nurse named Amanda Burke was arrested on Wednesday, April 13, 2023, for slamming a two-day-old infant, Nikko, face down into his bassinet. The incident took place on February 6, 2023, in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Good Samaritan Hospital, New York.
Burke was booked by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office after footage of the incident came out in the open. Nikko's father, Fidel Sinclair, reportedly caught the whole incident on his cellphone through the nursery window. The video showed 29-year-old Amanda Burke approach the baby, lift him from the bassinet, and slam him back into the crib.
Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of abuse against a baby and a video showcasing the same. Discretion is advised.
Amanda Burke was fired within two hours of the incident
After Nikko's parents saw the nurse slam their baby into his bassinet, the notified the staff at the Good Samaritan and even showed them the video. The hospital staff asked Amanda Burke to leave and was terminated her employment within two hours of the incident, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said.
In a statement, Suffolk District Attorney Raymond Tierney said that the allegations against Burke, who was entrusted with the care of the children" were disturbing.
A press release on the matter read that after Amanda lifted the newborn from his bassinet, she flipped him over and violently slammed him face down. After watching the video recorded on the baby's father's phone, the baby's mother confronted Amanda.
In February, News12 reported the incident after obtaining the footage. Speaking to News12, Consuelo Saravia, the mother of the baby, said she was furious because her son "literally just came into the world."
She told News12:
"That’s so messed up to just handle a baby like that. A newborn. It’s crazy."
However, the baby did not suffer any major injuries and was doing well after the attack, Saravia told the station.
The grandmother of the child told News12 that she was too stunned due to the incident and hasn't been able to sleep in three days.
"I didn’t know what to do with myself. I didn’t sleep for like three days. It was just really horrible."
Authorities have charged Amanda Burke with endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A misdemeanor.
The DA's office claimed to have informed the state's Department of Education's Office of Professional Discipline of the investigation's findings. However, as of now, Amanda Burke still has the license to practice as a registered nurse.
Burke's attorney upset over criminal charges slapped on her
Amanda Burke's lawyer, Robert C. Gottlieb, is reportedly disappointed over the charges against Burke. Gottlieb stated that his client should never have faced criminal charges.
Gottlieb maintained that his client, has cared for the infant with "love and compassion," a report by The Post stated.
He said:
"The Suffolk DA has grossly distorted the facts and should never have brought this case in criminal court. The infant in this case is healthy and was never injured. Amanda is an exceptional nurse who has always cared for infants under her care with love and compassion and the evidence will prove that without any doubt."
Amanda Burke surrendered to authorities two months after the video footage surfaced. She is scheduled to appear in court on May 2, 2023.
