HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — Erin Strotman, a former nurse at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, now faces a total of 20 charges following an ongoing investigation into her actions within the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The new charges, issued on May 7, add to a growing list of accusations that have spanned several months, intensifying scrutiny over the former health professional’s conduct.
The latest set of charges includes felony malicious wounding and felony child abuse. Prosecutors argue that the newly discovered evidence has significantly changed the trajectory of the case. Strotman, who had initially been charged with just two offenses in January, now faces 18 additional charges, bringing the total to 20.
At a court hearing on May 7, the Commonwealth moved to revoke Strotman’s bond, citing the increased number of charges and the potential risk she poses to the community. The prosecution highlighted the findings of the Virginia Department of Health Professions, which suspended Strotman’s nursing license after concluding that she posed a “significant danger” to the public.
However, Strotman’s defense team argued that the motion to revoke her bond was unwarranted. They contended that the new charges didn’t alter the essence of the case and questioned why she was being considered a danger to the community, especially given that she is currently on house arrest. The defense described the motion as “ill-taken” and insisted that the charges had not changed the underlying facts of the case.
Despite the defense’s objections, Henrico County Judge Wallerstein ultimately decided to maintain the original bond, allowing Strotman to remain on house arrest pending further legal proceedings. Prosecutors expressed their respect for the court’s decision, but Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment to pursuing justice in the case.
The investigation, which has unfolded in several phases, has seen a steady increase in the number of charges levied against Strotman. Initially arrested in January, she was hit with two charges, followed by six additional charges in March. In April, six more charges were added, including two that had been dismissed previously and refiled in a different court. Wednesday’s eight new charges bring the total to 20.
Attorney Steve Benjamin, who is not involved in the case but explained the process to 8News, emphasized the meticulous nature of investigations like this one. “It takes time to go back and review past medical records to see if there have been similar injuries to newborns and then to try to determine whether there may have been criminal agency involved — that is, abuse of the children that caused the injury,” said Benjamin. He also pointed out the importance of determining who was responsible for the injuries and whether their actions deviated from standard care.
The 20 charges Strotman faces include serious felony counts, which, if proven in court, could result in significant prison time. The charge of malicious wounding alone could carry up to 40 years of imprisonment. However, as Benjamin explained, the addition of charges is less about increasing the potential punishment and more about ensuring a thorough investigation is conducted.
As the legal process continues to unfold, the case has garnered widespread attention, particularly due to the serious allegations involving the care of vulnerable infants. For now, Strotman remains on house arrest, awaiting the next phase in a case that has already seen significant developments over the past few months.
