Henrico County, VA — Erin Strotman, a former nurse at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, is facing serious charges following an investigation into alleged child abuse in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The 26-year-old from Chesterfield County has been charged with malicious wounding and child abuse after reports surfaced of unexplained fractures in multiple infants under her care.
Strotman, who has been in custody at the Henrico County Jail since Jan. 13, attempted to appeal her bond for the second time during a court hearing on Jan. 22. The judge denied any decision on her bond, citing the need for a psychological evaluation before proceeding. Strotman’s next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 11.
The charges stem from an incident on Nov. 10, when a five-month-old baby boy was found with a fractured left femur, fractured right tibia, and several rib fractures. Surveillance footage allegedly shows Strotman placing pressure on the baby’s legs and pushing them backward toward his head, while the child appears to be in visible distress. Court documents describe the infant as crying during the incident.
The investigation into Strotman began after several babies were found to have what authorities called “unexplainable fractures” in late 2024, with additional cases linked to the previous year. Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor confirmed that Strotman was employed at the hospital during both 2023 and 2024.
In a report obtained by 8News, the Virginia Child Protective Services confirmed that Strotman had been placed on paid administrative leave in 2023 as part of an earlier investigation into the allegations. Despite this, she remained employed at the hospital until her arrest.
At the initial bond appeal hearing, Strotman’s court-appointed attorney argued that she was not a danger to herself or the community. However, the court ruled that she posed a risk to children and denied her bond on Jan. 13. If her second bond appeal is granted, Strotman may be granted protection from law enforcement to ensure her safety.
Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, where the alleged incidents took place, has taken immediate steps in response to the investigation. The hospital has temporarily stopped accepting new infants into its NICU, stating that it is working diligently to understand how the fractures occurred and prevent future incidents.
As the legal process continues, questions remain about the adequacy of monitoring protocols in healthcare settings and the safety of vulnerable patients under the care of medical professionals.
