A Virginia NICU nurse faces serious charges after an investigation revealed she allegedly abused a premature baby and potentially others. Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, 26, has been charged with malicious wounding and felony child abuse related to a November 2023 incident at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond.
However, the scope of the abuse may be broader, as the hospital reported that three babies suffered “unexplained fractures” during that time. according Law and crime. Henrico County Police Division detectives discovered evidence implicating Strotman after reviewing dozens of NICU surveillance videos. The investigation has since expanded, with law enforcement reviewing “hundreds of hours of footage” to identify additional victims.
“We appreciate the patience of the families and the public as we work as thoroughly and quickly as possible to investigate every piece of evidence related to these cases.” Henrico Police Chief Eric D. Declared English.
The investigation also revealed similar injuries to four other babies during the summer of 2023. One of these victims was Noah Hackey, a premature baby who suffered a fractured tibia while in the NICU in August 2023.
Noah’s father, Dominique Hackey, told CBS affiliate WTVR that he and his family noticed discoloration on Noah’s left leg about two weeks after his birth. An x-ray confirmed a tibia fracture. The family filed a report with Child Protective Services, which concluded that an employee caused the injury but did not name the person responsible.
Hackey expressed anger and frustration toward both the hospital and Strotman. “They strictly failed on multiple levels with multiple different families, and they also need to be held accountable because that should not have happened.” said.
“If they were suspicious enough of someone to let them go, they shouldn’t have brought them back. They failed, simple as that.” In response to the investigation, Henrico Doctors’ Hospital temporarily closed its NICU and identified Strotman as a “former employee.”
“We are shocked and saddened by this development in the research and are focused on continuing to care for our patients and provide support to our colleagues who have been deeply and personally impacted by this research,” the hospital said in a news release.
“We 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 who have worked aggressively and tirelessly with us on this investigation.”