Two Naval corpsmen have been removed from duty after images of them messing around with newborn babies emerged online.
Images originally uploaded to Snapchat but later shared on Facebook by concerned recipients shows one of the women flipping off a baby with the caption ‘How I currently feel about these mini Satans.’
A second photo shows another staffer holding a baby by the arms and is taken from a video in which she makes the child ‘dance’ to 50 Cent song In Da Club.
Two corpsmen have been removed from duty at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, in Florida, after uploading images of themselves messing around with newborns to Snapchat. This image was taken from a video that shows the staffer making the baby ‘dance’ to a 50 Cent song
The women were originally reported to be Navy nurses, but a statement from the hospital has since clarified that they are junior corpsmen.
In the video the staffer can be seen laughing and joking with someone behind the camera who can be heard saying ‘we’re going to hell’.
The woman can then be seen holding the child, reported to be just hours old by Fox 30, under each arm.
As the song plays she moves the newborn’s arms around to the beat, imitating rap musicians in music videos.
Pictures of the incident were shared hundreds of thousands of times after being posted online, and were quickly brought to the attention of hospital authorities.
A statement from the hospital’s commanding officer said: ‘We are aware of the inappropriate video and photos and can confirm they are hospital corpsmen, not nurses, but we are unable to confirm their names or tenure in light of the ongoing investigation.
‘The individuals have been removed from patient care, meaning they will not be providing direct patient care.
‘We are also contacting patients to address any questions or concerns they may have. This type of behavior is incompatible with the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment, as well as medical ethics.
‘It also does not reflect the commitment Navy Medicine has to provide the best care our nation can offer to those who serve as well as their families.
‘An investigation is underway. Once the investigation is complete, appropriate actions will be taken.’
The images were taken from Snapchat and posted to Facebook by concerned recipients. They quickly went viral, leading the hospital to remove the workers and launch and investigation
The commanding officer of Navy Hospital Jacksonville said the workers will now ‘be handled by the legal system and military justice’
A statement released earlier said: ‘We are aware of a video / photo posted online. It’s outrageous, unacceptable, incredibly unprofessional, and cannot be tolerated.
‘We have identified the staff members involved. They have been removed from patient care and they will be handled by the legal system and military justice.
‘We’re in the process of notifying the patient’s parents.’
The images caused an outpouring of rage on social media, with the corpsmen branded ‘cruel’ and ‘disgusting’.
Jane Agerton, who identified herself as a nurse from Tennessee, wrote: ‘They need to have their nursing license revoked. I am totally disgusted. How juvenile. Grow up.’
Joy Allen added: ‘As a former Navy daughter, Navy wife and mother of a child born at NAS JAX I am sicken by this behavior.
‘I am sure that if I caught someone doing that to my child…your a** would have been grass under the lawn mower. Shame!’