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A registered nurse in Virginia has been arrested following a disturbing incident involving a newborn in a hospital's neonatal intensive care unit who sustained an "unexplainable fracture" in November.
Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, a 26, was taken into custody at Henrico County Jail on charges of malicious wounding and child abuse resulting in serious injury early on January 3.
Investigators are looking into several similar cases, which may lead to additional charges.
The troubling pattern of injuries to infants in the NICU at Henrico Doctors' Hospital prompted an internal investigation, resulting in the unit's closure to new patients on Christmas Eve.
Strotman has held a valid registered nurse's license since 2019, set to expire in May 2026.
The hospital reported that in late November and December, three infants in the NICU suffered unexplained fractures, echoing a previous incident involving four babies in the summer of 2023. Parents raised concerns about these injuries with Child Protective Services last year.
Dominique Hackey, whose son was among the victims, expressed a mix of relief and sorrow upon learning of Strotman's arrest, emphasizing the sadness surrounding the broader implications of the case.
Hackey had previously shared his family's experience with local media, detailing the confusion over his twin son's tibia fracture, which occurred in September 2023, and was reported to social services by his mother, a former NICU nurse.
A year later, Henrico CPS informed the family that their son had been identified as a victim of physical abuse by an unidentified hospital staff member. In October, local police revealed additional similar cases to them.
On December 24, the hospital announced the closure of its NICU following three recent incidents, yet the identity of the alleged perpetrator remained undisclosed until Strotman's arrest was made public on Friday.
The hospital stated on Christmas Eve that, "Out of an abundance of caution, we are not admitting any additional babies into our NICU at this time." They acknowledged that while fractures can occur in pre-term infants due to incomplete bone development, they were actively investigating the circumstances surrounding these injuries.
Despite previously noting that fractures can occur in premature infants, hospital officials implemented enhanced security measures, including new surveillance systems and police notifications after the second series of incidents.
New safety protocols were introduced, such as training on safety and abuse recognition, comprehensive examinations of patients by doctors, and a system requiring that each healthcare provider be accompanied by another clinician when entering a baby's room.
The hospital also provided police with extensive surveillance footage, which they were still reviewing following Strotman's arrest related to an incident from November 10.
Henrico Chief of Police Eric English expressed gratitude for the patience of families and the public as they diligently investigate all evidence related to these cases. He also commended the dedicated efforts of detectives who are reviewing hundreds of hours of footage and thanked various agencies involved in the investigation.