A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse from a Virginia hospital is in jail after an investigation revealed she abused a premature baby. And there may be more victims.
Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, 26, is charged with malicious wounding and felony child abuse in relation to an incident that occurred in November at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond.
But Strotman’s alleged abuse may extend beyond a single incident. According to the hospital, three babies experienced “unexplained fractures” in November. According to the hospital, four other babies sustained similar injuries during the summer of 2023.
Investigators from the Henrico County Police Division reviewed dozens of videos from inside the NICU and identified Strotman. Detectives continue to sift through evidence, including “hundreds of hours of footage,” in the hopes of bringing justice to each baby who was abused.
“We appreciate the families’ and the public’s patience as we work as thoroughly and expeditiously as possible to investigate every piece of evidence in connection with these cases,” Henrico Police Chief Eric D. English said in a statement.
In a press release, the hospital referred to Strotman as a “former employee.” As a precaution, the hospital shut down its NICU while the investigation continues.
“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,” according to a statement.
“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 the other agencies who have worked aggressively and tirelessly with us on this investigation.”
Noah Hackey, one of the babies alleged to have been abused in the summer of 2023, suffered a broken tibia.
His father, Dominque Hackey, told Richmond CBS affiliate WTVR that Noah and his twin Micah were born prematurely in the hospital in August 2023 and spent time together in the NICU.
When Noah was about two weeks old, they noticed some discoloration on his left leg. An x-ray revealed a fracture of the tibia.
The family filed a report with Child Protective Services, which determined that an employee was responsible for breaking the boy’s leg but did not identify who it was.
Hackey was taken aback to learn that his son was not the only one who had allegedly been abused.
“They failed strictly on multiple levels with multiple different families, and they need to be held accountable as well because that shouldn’t have happened,” according to him.
“If they were suspicious enough to let someone go, they should not have returned them. Simply put, they failed.
Police arrested Strotman on Thursday night and booked her into the Henrico County Jail early Friday, where she is being held without bond. Her next court date is set for March 24.
