By Steve Gorman

(Reuters) – Idaho gubernatorial hopeful Ammon Bundy, a right-wing activist who was also a candidate for the Idaho governorship was charged with trespassing after refusing to leave a facility where an infant had been taken from his parents as part of a child welfare case. Police said that Bundy was being held on Saturday.

Bundy’s campaign stated on Twitter (NYSE 🙂 that Bundy had visited Meridian, Idaho to support a family whose baby boy was “medically kidnapped”.

Bundy was charged with “disagreement” with CPS (child protective service) and hospital. The tweet added that Bundy’s arrest was “an ambush without legal grounds.”

Bundy, along with his family members have been well-known for their leadership of armed standsoffs against federal officials. This includes a 41-day occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon that saw one of its occupiers die.

Bundy and a brother were later cleared of Federal conspiracy charges that stemmed from the Malheur Siege.

Bundy, 46 years old, wrote a tweet describing the child as the grandson and close friend of the family. Bundy also stated that authorities took custody of the baby after “a doctor called CPS because the appointment was missed”.

Bundy said, “If that happened to them it could happen for you.” Bundy wrote, “We have to stand against medical tyranny.”

The 10-month-old baby, who was severely malnourished at the time, was admitted to the hospital on March 1. Police stated that the infant was taken into custody the first day. Police said that the infant, who had gained enough weight, was discharged to his parents just a few days later.

A subsequent examination revealed that the child had again lost substantial weight. Police were called after the parents cancelled their appointment for follow-up and couldn’t be found, according to the Meridian police department.

Police were advised that the child was in life-threatening condition and sought to reach the parents. However, the family refused to cooperate with police, who said they would not make any further efforts to verify the child’s health.

Police obtained a warrant and located the child and father in traffic. They took custody of the child and brought it to the hospital.

Bundy was taken into custody on misdemeanor theft charges after he, along with several others, showed up at the hospital and “refused to leave the property” when asked.

According to police, a second woman, accused of interfering, was also taken into custody, along with two additional adults, for interfering with officers at the spot of the traffic stopped.

Bundy led many protests in Idaho against COVID-19 state health restrictions. He announced his candidacy for Republican Governor’s Nomination in June.