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Virginia NICU Nurse Accused of Premature Baby Abuse
A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse in Virginia has been arrested following allegations of abuse against a premature baby, with investigators suggesting there may be additional victims. Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, 26, faces charges of malicious wounding and felony child abuse related to an incident at Henrico Doctorsโ Hospital in Richmond last November.
Hospital authorities reported that three babies sustained โunexplained fracturesโ in November 2023. They further disclosed that four other infants experienced similar injuries earlier that summer. The Henrico County Police Division has reviewed numerous video recordings from the NICU, identifying Strotman as a suspect. Detectives continue to examine "hundreds of hours" of surveillance footage to ensure justice for each baby involved.
Police and Hospital Response
Henrico Police Chief Eric D. English emphasized the thoroughness of the ongoing investigation. "We appreciate the familiesโ and publicโs patience as we work as thoroughly and expeditiously as possible to investigate every piece of evidence in connection to these cases," he stated.
Henrico Doctorsโ Hospital confirmed Strotman is a former employee and temporarily closed its NICU as a precaution during the investigation. In a public statement, the hospital expressed its dismay over the situation.
"We are both shocked and saddened by this development in the investigation and are focused on continuing to care for our patients and providing support to our colleagues who have been deeply and personally impacted by this investigation,โ the statement read. โWe are grateful to those colleagues who have dedicated their professional lives to the care and safety of our patients, as well as to law enforcement and other agencies working tirelessly on this investigation.โ
Parents Speak Out
One of the alleged victims, Noah Hackey, suffered a broken tibia during his stay in the NICU in August 2023. His father, Dominique Hackey, shared his familyโs story, explaining that Noah and his twin brother, Micah, were born prematurely and were placed in the hospital's NICU.
When Noah was about two weeks old, his parents noticed discoloration in his left leg. An X-ray revealed a fractured tibia. Although the family filed a report with Child Protective Services, the responsible employee was not initially identified.
Hackey expressed outrage upon learning about other affected families.
"They failed strictly on multiple levels with multiple different families, and they need to be held accountable as well because that shouldnโt have happened," Hackey told WTVR. "If they were suspicious of some person enough to let them go, they shouldnโt have brought them back. They failed, simple as that."
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Strotman was taken into custody on Thursday night and booked into the Henrico County Jail without bond early Friday morning. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 24. Investigators are determined to uncover the extent of the alleged abuse, bringing justice to the affected families and their infants.
She should at the very least, never be allowed near children, nor elders or invalids. She can make license plates instead.