Newborns in NICU Attacked at Virginia Hospital Lead to Nurse's Arrest

A registered nurse has been arrested by Virginia police for a twisted attack on a newborn in a hospital's neonatal intensive care unit in November, resulting in an "unexplainable fracture." Further charges may be filed as detectives investigate six similar incidents.

Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, a 26-year-old suspect, was arrested and charged with malicious wounding and child abuse that resulted in serious injury at approximately 1:15 a.m. on Friday in Henrico County Jail.

The NICU at Henrico Doctors' Hospital in Richmond experienced a series of injuries to babies in November and December, leading officials to launch an internal investigation and temporarily close the unit to new patients on Christmas Eve.

Strotman's nursing license was first issued in 2019 and will expire in May 2026, according to public records.

The hospital announced that in late November/December, three babies in their NICU had unexplainable fractures, similar to an incident involving four babies in the summer of 2023.

Concerned parents reported the injuries to Child Protective Services last year.

"Dominique Hackey, father of one of the victims, expressed his sadness and regret after learning the details of the abuse that led to the arrest of the perpetrator. Although he was relieved to finally get some answers, he wished it was a happier moment. He regretted not speaking up earlier to prevent other children from getting hurt."

Last month, Hackey shared his story with the local news station WTVR-TV, detailing the confusion surrounding his twin son's mysterious tibia fracture in September 2023. His mother, a former NICU nurse, reported the injury to social services.

A year after being informed that their son was a victim of physical abuse from an unnamed hospital staffer, Henrico CPS revealed this conclusion. Later, in October, county police reportedly disclosed other similar cases.

The hospital shut down its NICU on Dec. 24 following three recent incidents, but the identity of the alleged assailant remained unknown until police arrested Strotman on Friday.

"The hospital announced on Christmas Eve that they are not accepting any more babies into their NICU due to an abundance of caution. Although fractures can occur in pre-term babies due to their incomplete fetal bone development, the hospital is actively investigating the cause of these fractures."

Despite previous statements from hospital officials that fractures can occur in premature babies, they took additional measures such as increasing security, installing new surveillance systems, and notifying police after the second series of attacks.

The hospital implemented new safety measures, including training on general safety and identifying signs of abuse, head-to-toe examinations by doctors, and an observer system where each healthcare provider is accompanied by another clinician when entering a baby's room, the hospital stated.

After arresting Strotman on Nov. 10, the police received and reviewed hours of surveillance video from them.

"Henrico Chief of Police Eric English expressed gratitude to families and the public for their patience as he and his team investigate every piece of evidence related to the cases. He also acknowledged the hard work of his detectives who are sifting through hundreds of hours of footage. English thanked Henrico's Child Protective Services (Department of Social Services), the Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney's Office, Virginia State Police, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Office of the Attorney General for their assistance in the matter."

No charges have been filed in Hackey's case, but the police are actively gathering evidence in all the remaining incidents.

Finally we can get some answers as to who abused our son. I wish I could say it was a happy moment learning of her arrest, however, learning the details involving the other babies, the only feeling I have is sadness and regret. — Dominique Hackey, victim's father

Henrico police are investigating Strotman, a resident of Midlothian, for her involvement in several similar cases between 2023 and 2024, including inactive cases.

""All previously closed cases related to these incidents have been reopened, and all families involved in the current broader investigation have been notified," police stated."

Health care privacy laws prevent authorities from disclosing further information.

HCA Healthcare, the owner of the hospital, stated that both they and their patients are shocked and saddened by the investigation's development and are committed to continuing to provide care and support to their colleagues who have been deeply affected by it.

Anyone with information about the crime is being asked to contact detectives at [email protected], visit P3tips.com or call Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000. Additional charges may apply.

Strotman's past legal issues were limited to minor traffic violations, according to court records.

She had an arraignment scheduled for Friday morning at the Henrico Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.

Their son has recovered from his fracture and is doing well.

"He is a very adventurous little boy," his father said.