A Henrico Circuit Court judge has found former neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman guilty on nine felony counts of child abuse stemming from injuries inflicted on newborn babies under her care at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital.
Strotman, 27, was convicted Thursday, January 15, after entering no-contest pleas to all nine charges. The convictions relate to incidents that occurred between 2022 and 2024, during which nine infants in the hospital’s NICU suffered serious, unexplained injuries.
Before the ruling, Strotman faced 20 felony charges, including malicious wounding and felony child abuse. The remaining counts were resolved through negotiations between prosecutors and the defense.
Pattern of injuries triggered investigations
The case emerged after multiple babies in the NICU were found to have fractures that medical staff could not medically explain.
The injuries prompted internal hospital reviews and subsequent criminal investigations, which authorities say revealed a troubling pattern.
According to documents from the Virginia Board of Nursing, Strotman repeatedly handled infants with excessive force. Investigators alleged she applied heavy pressure to babies’ legs and abdomens, squeezed them forcefully, moved them carelessly, and at times lifted infants while supporting only their heads.
Prosecutors argued that the repeated nature of the injuries, coupled with their timing during Strotman’s shifts, pointed to intentional abuse rather than accidental harm or routine medical complications.
Legal resolution and sentencing outlook
Ahead of the plea hearing, Strotman’s attorney, Jeffrey Everhart, described the outcome as a negotiated resolution.
“There’s been a lot of negotiation and we think that we are reaching a just, fair and reasonable resolution,” Everhart told local media. “Both parties are giving up some things and both parties are ceding some things.”
Strotman remains free on bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for June 5. The Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney has requested a sentence of three years’ imprisonment as part of the plea agreement, though the judge retains discretion to impose a longer or shorter term under Virginia law.
Broader scrutiny and public reaction
The case has drawn heightened public attention amid broader concerns about patient safety, hospital oversight, and accountability within neonatal care settings. Earlier court filings and reporting also raised questions about racial disparities in healthcare, as investigators noted that a disproportionate number of the injured infants were Black.
Strotman’s earlier release on a $25,000 bond generated significant public backlash, with critics questioning whether bond decisions in serious child abuse cases adequately reflect the gravity of the alleged conduct. Legal experts, however, note that bond determinations are governed by statutory factors and constitutional protections, not findings of guilt.
With the convictions now entered, the focus shifts to sentencing and potential professional consequences. Strotman’s nursing license remains subject to regulatory action by the Virginia Board of Nursing, separate from the criminal proceedings.
The case stands as one of the most serious prosecutions involving alleged abuse within a hospital NICU in Virginia, and it is likely to influence ongoing discussions around monitoring, reporting obligations, and safeguards in neonatal care units nationwide.
