DIY VIRAL
Some people in this world are purely evil and, unfortunately, some of them have access to human beings who are the most vulnerable. – namely infants.
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A former neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse at Henrico Doctors Hospital in central Virginia has been charged with intentional injury and child abuse following an investigation into newborns suffering “broken bones.” inexplicable.” The nurse, 26 years old Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman of Chesterfield County, is accused of causing these injuries to at least one black child, but it is possible that at least seven others suffered the same injuries.
According to ABC 8 Newsthree babies in the hospital were discovered with “unexplainable fractures” in late November and December 2024, and their cases were similar to those of four infants in the hospital who suffered similar injuries in 2023. So far, Strotman, who was arraigned and held without bail Friday, was only charged in connection with one of the children.
From the ABC:
An investigation by Henrico County Child Protective Services, the Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, Virginia State Police, the Virginia Department of Health and the Attorney General's Office is ongoing regarding these incidents.
When asked after the arraignment whether the seven babies under investigation were currently alive, Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor said authorities were continuing their investigation and would not could not yet confirm their state of health.
“The maximum statutory penalty for criminal neglect of a child is 10 years of incarceration and the maximum statutory penalty for criminal intentional injury is 20 years of incarceration,” Taylor said.
Taylor also suggested that Strotman's arrest was just the beginning, and she assured the public that the investigation was still ongoing, that the injuries suffered by the other children would be repaired, and that others could join Strotman as defendants in this case.
Although one person has been arrested for allegedly injuring a single victim, I would like to emphasize that this is an ongoing investigation covering potential offenses committed in 2023 and 2024,” she said. “I assure the public that the investigation into these matters will be thorough and, if sufficient evidence emerges to establish the criminal culpability of additional individuals, additional charges will be filed immediately without fear or favor from any party.”
Friday's arraignment took place in the presence of the families of the seven babies injured at the hospital. Several family members reportedly left the courtroom in tears.
“I am overwhelmed with emotions. I can't get my hands on just one. I couldn’t help but break down,” said Dominique Hackey, the black father of one of the babies who has yet to be charged with causing harm. WTVR6. “For this father and mother (of the child Strotman is accused of), I felt what I felt when I found out my son had a fracture. It was helpless.
Hackey said he remembered meeting Strotman near the end of his twins' NICU stay in 2023, but he said he hadn't known her long.
“I remember she was in the room, she was friendly, she answered questions, but she didn't stay and talk like the other nurses in the NICU did. She wasn’t part of the family like the other nurses in the NICU,” he said.
Strotman is due back in court at 2 p.m. on March 24. In the meantime, the judge ordered him to have no contact with children under the age of 18.
DIY VIRAL
