ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Bright and early Monday morning, a healthy baby boy was welcomed into the world at Malcolm Grow Medial Center.
Carlos and Nadia Collazo named the bouncing 6-pounder, Malichi Ramon Collozo. The Callozos' can rest assured knowing that Malichi will be cared for by the outstanding staff, but they also know that he is safe from abductions due to the staff's strict adherence to the 'Code Pink' alerting program.
In the past 25 years, more than 250 infants have been abducted nationwide, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. "No abduction attempts have been made at Malcolm Grow," said Ms. Victoria Madison, facilities manager of the 79th Medical Group. This can be attributed to the base security and the strength of the program at the hospital that deters any would be abductor. The Code Pink Pediatric Abduction Prevention program at Malcolm Grow is an active program that has procedures in place to prevent the abduction of individuals 17 years of age or younger from the center. Of special concern within this program is the Labor and Delivery unit at the hospital. On Monday the hospital practiced alerting the staff and base by exercising a 'Code Pink.'
Staff Sgt. Nathan Butler, the volunteer "abductor" tried to remove an infant doll from the hospital. He was detained by Capt. Jeanette Brogan, when he attempted to leave the Labor and Delivery Unit. The staff immediately called the alert. In a real world event the Security Forces Squadron would be notified and would send units to the hospital and shut down outbound lanes at all the gates.
On the Labor and Delivery unit, staff and parents must have special identification badges or wrist bands displayed at all times. Visitors must be escorted. The babies are fitted with ankle bracelets containing a monitoring apparatus that will set off an alarm if the child is removed from a defined area in the unit. If this alarm sounds, 'Code Pink' is automatically called and the hospital staff is trained to monitor all entry and exit points.They will challenge all persons with children or baggage who are trying to leave the hospital.
The 79th Medical Group trains for 'Code Pink' calls by holding periodic exercises to remain sharp and alert and to avoid any possible abductions.