Fox News confirmed it “parted ways” with an award-winning anchor after she reportedly showed up to work “visibly ill” at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fox released early morning “Fox & Friends First” star Heather Childers following reports in March that she reportedly came to work in the New York City office “visibly sick” and coughing.
“Fox News and Heather Childers have parted ways,” Fox News said in a short statement Thursday. “We wish her all the best.”
Childers hasn’t appeared on-air since March. On social media, she has denied that she came to work ill and claimed a doctor had cleared her.
She later tested negative for coronavirus.
No. Last day I was on I mentioned I had gone to a dr to make sure I had no fever or cough of concern after coughing & sneezing on air. Never went to work feeling sick. I sent those results showing no temp or cough. Was then told Covid19 test would most helpful. Negative 🙏
— Heather Childers (@HeatherChilders) March 31, 2020
Childers has won multiple awards during her broadcasting career, including the National Academy of Television Journalists award for Best Female News Anchor.
During her hiatus, she repeatedly tweeted her negative COVID-19 test results and asked to return to work — and even appealed directly to President Donald Trump on social media.
Starting Week 5 sitting at home & not anchoring @FoxFriendsFirst at 4AM for you. Sorry I won’t be there again after 25+ years as a journalist. @realDonaldTrump please get us all back to work. Negative #Covid19 or any testing is worthless if ignored by employers & municipalities.
— Heather Childers (@HeatherChilders) April 19, 2020
The answer was a quiet “no” from Fox News.
Childers had been employed at Fox News since 2010.
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