Woman tries to access birth centers at 2 Tacoma hospitals

Hospitals in Pierce County are on alert after police say a woman has been trying to gain access to birth centers.

A spokeswoman at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital said the woman has done it repeatedly there and at another hospital in Tacoma.

The woman, described as African American and in her 30s or 40s, tried to go inside the birth centers at both Mary Bridge and St. Joseph Medical Center.

Each time she was identified and escorted out. No babies were harmed.

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital said in a statement:

We have increased security at all units around our system where we are taking care of infants and children. Visitors to the birth centers and Mary Bridge units will be required to sign in and show identification before coming onto our units. We will also escort all visitors to the room they intend to visit.

St. Joseph is taking similar steps.

Hospital officials say they have filed a report with authorities.