A former nurse in Virginia is facing serious charges after being accused of deliberately harming infants under her care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond. Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, 26, of Chesterfield County, was arrested and charged with felony child neglect and malicious wounding after a newborn suffered an injury while under her care in November 2024.
Ongoing Investigation Suggests Multiple Victims
Strotman’s charges stem from a single incident, but investigators believe the scope of the abuse may be much broader. Authorities have expanded their investigation, which now includes potential offenses that occurred over the course of more than a year. Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor confirmed that the case involves multiple infants, saying, “While Strotman has been charged in relation to one victim, there is an ongoing investigation into other injuries involving babies from 2023 and 2024.”
The investigation began after three NICU babies were found with unexplained fractures in November and December 2024. These injuries mirrored incidents from the previous summer, where four infants sustained similar fractures. In response, the hospital temporarily halted admissions to its NICU, opting to transfer babies to other healthcare facilities after stabilizing them.
Hospital Responds with Increased Safety Measures
Henrico Doctors’ Hospital has taken immediate action, announcing several changes in its NICU protocols. “We have conducted an internal review, alerted affected families, and worked closely with regulatory agencies and law enforcement,” the hospital said in a statement. As part of the new measures, livestream cameras have been installed in the NICU, and staff members are now required to complete additional safety training to prevent further incidents.
Strotman, who is no longer employed by the hospital, is facing significant scrutiny. The hospital is cooperating with authorities as they continue their investigation into the extent of the harm that may have been caused.
Legal Proceedings and Court Updates
Strotman has been denied bond and is prohibited from having any contact with children under the age of 18. Her public defender, Scott Cardani, has stated that his client has not entered a plea and declined to make any public comments on the charges at this time. A court hearing has been scheduled for March 2025, where more information regarding the case may be revealed.
The case has sparked public interest, with online discussions surfacing around potential racial motivations for the alleged abuse. Local law enforcement responded to these rumors, stating that there is no factual basis for such claims. “The ongoing investigation does not support these racially charged theories,” Henrico County police emphasized in a statement.
Parallels to Other High-Profile Cases
The allegations against Strotman have drawn comparisons to the notorious case of Lucy Letby, a former British nurse convicted of murdering seven infants in 2023. Letby’s trial revealed a chilling pattern of abuse, where she attacked infants in a NICU by injecting air into their bodies and tampering with their feeding tubes. Although Strotman’s case is still unfolding, the similarities between the two incidents have raised important questions about the vulnerabilities of newborns in hospital settings.
As the investigation continues, the community and families affected by the allegations are calling for greater accountability and improved safeguards for newborns in NICU care.
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