Robert Kennedy's son invokes dad in court

MOUNT KISCO -- The son of Sen. Robert Kennedy invoked his father's assassination yesterday in a case stemming from his attempt to take his newborn son from a hospital maternity ward. Douglas Kennedy is charged with endangering the baby and physically harassing two nurses in the January incident.

After a mostly procedural court session, Kennedy said, "It is OK for a father to hold his son in his arms . . . my father was taken away from me when I was a baby."

On Jan. 7, Kennedy, 44, tried to take his 2-day-old son from the maternity ward at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco. He said he wanted some fresh air for the baby, but nurses tried to stop him, citing hospital policy, and a tussle was recorded on hospital video.

Kennedy lawyer Robert Gottlieb has filed a motion to dismiss all charges. Assistant District Attorney Amy Puerto said in court that the prosecution would fight the motion.

-- AP