Woman loitering near Providence birth center said she ‘wanted a baby,’ police say
Olympia police were dispatched to the Family Birth Center at Providence St. Peter Hospital Friday morning after a woman loitering nearby told hospital security that she “wanted a baby.”
By the time police arrived, the woman, thought to be in her 40s, had left the area, Olympia Police Lt. Paul Lower said. Still, police received a copy of a trespass order from the hospital and that information has been shared with patrol officers.
“We have enough information to make an arrest,” Lower said.
Police learned the woman had been loitering near the birth center, then told security she was pregnant and needed care. Hospital staff reported they had seen the woman and she was not pregnant.
Still, the woman reportedly returned multiple times to the birth center and admitted that she “wanted a baby.”
Providence spokesman Chris Thomas emphasized Monday the birth center is a secure area.
“The safety and security of our patients is of utmost concern,” he said, adding that people are admitted only after checking in at a reception desk and entering with a badge, or entering with a caregiver who has a badge.
Monitors and cameras are used to capture images of the area, Thomas said.
The hospital also had a “safety huddle” Friday and information about the incident was shared with all clinical caregivers and everyone at the birth center, plus at other Providence hospitals in the region, he said.
Hospital security patrols were increased, Thomas said.
This story was originally published February 6, 2023 at 12:10 PM.
