Trial Date Set in Kennedy Newborn Case in NY

In January, Douglas Kennedy tried to take his newborn baby from the hospital while nurses tried to stop him, police said

A trial date has been set in the case of a New York maternity ward scuffle involving a son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

A Mount Kisco town judge said Thursday that Douglas Kennedy will go on trial Oct. 22. Kennedy has pleaded not guilty to physical harassment and child endangerment.

Kennedy says he wanted the baby to get some fresh air.

The charges stem from Kennedy's Jan. 7 attempt to take his 2-day-old son from the maternity ward at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco. Nurses Cari Luciano and Anna Lane tried to stop him, citing hospital policy, and two claim he injured them.

The judge also denied most of Kennedy's requests for access to hospital records. But he said the hospital should turn over its written policies about taking a baby from the hospital.

Kennedy had to sign a renewal of a temporary restraining order keeping him away from the nurses. It is now extended until February 2013. 

Thursday's proceeding lasted only three minutes but half the courtroom was filled. Some were supporters of Kennedy, others were nurses supporting Luciano and Lane.

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