The Boston Children's Hospital has found itself the target of multiple cyberattacks throughout the past week, reportedly with the renowned hacker group Anonymous at the center of it. 

 

According to a report by the Boston Globe, the 395-bed hospital reported its website had suffered myriad attacks this past weekend into Thursday. Even on April 28, the cyberattacks continued. "The attacks have not abated," said hospital Spokesperson Rob Graham to Healthcare IT News. He affirmed that patient data has not been compromised in the attacks, however. 

 

Allegedly, the cyberattacks were launched in response to an embittered child custody case involving one of Boston Children's Hospital's patients, Justina Pelletier. 

 

[See also: Hackers swipe health data of 405K.]

 

Back in February, the hospital reported to the state that the 15-year-old Justina Pelletier was the victim of medical child abuse by her parents, ultimately with the state assuming temporary custody of the child. 

 

The Boston Globe report pointed out that there has been no confirmation the cyberattacks were indeed performed by Anonymous, but the hacker group has recently launched an "#OpJustina" operation, even posting a YouTube video press release of their concern. 

 

The group called the actions of one of Boston Children's physician instrumental in the state's decision to revoke parental custody of Pelletier "crimes against children," in the video. "To the Boston Children's Hospital: why do you employ people that clearly do not put patients first?" they said. "This will be your first and final warning. Failure to comply will result in retaliation, which you will not be able to withstand. Free Justina and return her home to her family. The voice of the people will be heard."

 

"Boston Children's website has been the target of multiple attacks designed to bring down the site by overwhelming its capacity," read a hospital statement released last week. "There is no information to suggest that patient information has been compromised, and patient care has not been interrupted."

 

This story will be updated.