John Jefferson
Inset: Erin Strotman (Henrico County Jail). Background: Henrico Doctors’ Hospital (Google Maps).
A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse at a Virginia hospital is in jail after an investigation determined she abused a premature baby. And there may be more victims.
Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, 26, stands accused of malicious wounding and felony child abuse in connection to an incident that occurred in November at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond. But Strotman’s alleged abuse may go beyond just one incident. According to the hospital, three babies suffered “unexplained fractures” in November. Four other babies suffered similar injuries in the summer of 2023, the hospital said.
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Investigators with the Henrico County Police Division reviewed dozens of videos from inside the NICU and were able to point the finger at Strotman. Detectives continue to comb through evidence, including “hundreds of hours of footage” in hopes of bringing justice to each baby who suffered abuse.
“We appreciate the families’ and public’s patience as we work as thoroughly and expeditiously as possible to investigate every piece of evidence in connection to these cases,” Henrico police Chief Eric D. English said in a statement.
The hospital in a press release described Strotman as a “former employee.” As a precaution, the hospital shut down its NICU as the investigation unfurls.
“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,” the statement said. “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.”
One of the babies allegedly abused in the summer of 2023 was Noah Hackey, who suffered a broken tibia. His father Dominque Hackey explained to Richmond CBS affiliate WTVR that Noah and his twin Micah were born prematurely at the hospital in August 2023 and spent time together in the NICU.
When Noah was about two weeks old they noticed some discoloration in his left leg. An x-ray unveiled a fracture of the tibia. The family filed a report with Child Protective Services, which determined an employee was responsible for breaking the boy’s leg, but not which employee it was.
Hackey was flabbergasted that his son wasn’t the only one allegedly 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,” he told WTVR. “If they were suspicious of some person enough to let them go they shouldn’t have brought them back. They failed, simple as that.”
Cops arrested Strotman on Thursday night and booked her into the Henrico County Jail early Friday where she’s being held without bond. Her next court date is scheduled for March 24.
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