In relation to a “hoax” bomb threat made against Boston Children’s Hospital last month, a Massachusetts woman was detained on Thursday. To know more about the case read this article till the end.
What happened at Boston children Hospital
On August 30, a hospital worker received a call saying, “There is a bomb on the way to the hospital.” “You sickos, you better evacuate everyone,” Rollins said during a press conference that investigators tracked the phone number that made the bomb threat to a T-Mobile account owned by Leavy.
A Massachusetts woman (Catherine Leavy) was arrested at her home, and the phone used to make the alleged threat was recovered.
Catherine Leavy, of Westfield, Massachusetts, was arrested at her residence on Thursday morning, according to officials at a press conference. The 37-year-old was charged with a single count of explosive materials — purposely making a false bomb threat — in federal court.
She appeared in court for the first time Thursday afternoon and was held in custody pending a hearing on Friday. As per U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Rachael Rollins, if found guilty, Leavy faces up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
Reason behind receiving threat at Boston school
For months, several children’s hospitals, most particularly Boston Children’s, have been the subjects of a far-right harassment campaign guided by anti-trans influencers with millions of followers who mislead people about the hospitals’ gender-affirming treatment for minors.
The hospital released the statement.
The hospital claims that Boston Children’s Hospital is home to the nation’s first pediatric and adolescent transgender health program. The hospital claims that the hospital, far-right social media accounts, and commentators began harassing the institution after it posted a since-removed informational video about the gender-affirming care it provides for patients.
We proceed to be watchful in our efforts to stop the spread of false information about the hospital and our caregivers,” the hospital said in a statement. We are committed to providing the hospital with a safe and secure place for all who work and visit here.
The statement was given by Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins.
This arrest should serve as a serious warning to others that making violent threats is a federal crime that can result in up to five years in federal prison, said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, head of the FBI Boston office, during a press conference.
Authorities have not revealed a motive. Rollins said Children’s Hospital has received more than a dozen threats, many of which are related to the services it provides to gender-diverse and transgender patients.
She believes that Children’s Hospital and other hospitals that provide such services should be able to do so “without fear.”
Rollins stated that her office will continue to look into such hate crimes.
Final words
A Massachusetts woman was arrested over a bomb threat made against Boston Children’s Hospital which provides services to gender-diverse and transgender patients. It appears that hoaxes are being used all too frequently to gain personal, hatred beliefs and ideologies, Rollins said. We will not stand by and keep an eye on this.