A nurse in Virginia has been arrested after multiple newborns suffered severe fractures at a Richmond hospital, leading to the closure of its neonatal intensive care unit.

A nurse in Virginia has been arrested after multiple newborns suffered severe fractures at a Richmond hospital, leading to the closure of its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Erin Elizabeth Strotman, 26, has been charged with malicious wounding and felony child abuse in connection with the disturbing incidents at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, according to a statement released Friday by Henrico County Police. “The Henrico County Police Division is utilizing all available resources to ensure a thorough investigation into this matter,” authorities stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the case.

The hospital has not yet commented on the charges or the timeline for reopening its NICU as the investigation continues. According to the statement from law enforcement, they will be going through “dozens of videos from inside the NICU.”

Erin Elizabeth Strotman, 26, has been charged with malicious wounding and felony child abuse in connection with the disturbing incidents at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital,
“As previously mentioned, detectives are re-examining the 2023 and 2024 cases as part of this broader investigation,” the statement added. The investigation began after two Virginia parents spoke out after Virginia Child Services had informed them that their newborn child had been abused by an employee in the NICU.

According to the Daily Mail, the child had been in the ward after suffering a fractured leg during its premature birth. Authorities stated that the probe into the injuries became more intense when they were informed that four babies had been injured in the summer of 2023 and three more were hurt in November and December of this year.

The child had been in the ward after suffering a fractured leg during its premature birth
The hospital stated that there had been a similar incident during the summer of 2023 and that an internal review had been launched in collaboration with the “proper authorities and regulatory agencies.” The hospital noted that “fractures occasionally happen” the rate of injuries occurring appeared to be cause for concern.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we are not admitting any additional babies into our NICU at this time,” a statement reads on the hospital’s site. “While fractures occasionally happen with pre-term babies since they lack full fetal bone development, we are actively working to determine how these fractures occurred.”

The hospital stated that there had been a similar incident during the summer of 2023 and that an internal review had been launched in collaboration with the “proper authorities and regulatory agencies.”

Preterm births — the name given to births that happen before 37 weeks gestation — have reportedly increased over the last three years to 8.7%. These children are reportedly more susceptible to injury because they did not have enough time to form strong bones in the womb. These weaker bones are more prone to fracture.

It was also reported that usage of certain medications to combat any complications from preterm birth can contribute to low mineral content in the bones, which in turn makes the child’s bones more brittle and susceptible to fractures. According to reports, fractures in preterm births typically heal decently when the babies are handled extremely gently and are given supplemental calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus, all of which help to fortify bones.

Preterm children are reportedly more susceptible to injury because they did not have enough time to form strong bones in the womb