A Virginia judge found former NICU nurse Erin Strotman guilty of nine counts of felony child abuse after evidence linked her to injuries on nine premature babies at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. At sentencing, a maximum 45-year term was reduced—under a plea agree
The courtroom moment came after more than a year of waiting—when the former NICU nurse Erin Strotman finally heard how long her prison sentence would last. On June 5. a judge handed down a maximum 45-year term for what prosecutors and the court found she did to nine premature babies at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. That sentence did not stand.
Instead, the judge suspended it to a total of three years and four months for each baby harmed—time that, under the plea agreement, was reduced so Strotman will serve just three years.
Strotman’s case began with allegations tied to the NICU between 2023 and 2024. Her arrest came on January 3, 2025, connected to an incident involving a baby in November 2024. After the hospital’s internal investigation uncovered multiple similar incidents, Strotman was criminally charged. Surveillance footage showed the nurse mishandling babies and committing abusive actions during routine diaper changes and cleanings. resulting in broken bones and other injuries.
The Virginia Board of Nursing accused Strotman of using “excessive force,” including heavy pressure on babies’ legs and abdomens and lifting them by only their heads. Prosecutors said some of the babies were as young as 23 weeks and weighed as little as 11 ounces.
On January 15—more than a year after her arrest—a court found Strotman guilty of nine counts of felony child abuse, one for each baby.
That conviction led to sentencing on June 5. The judge imposed the maximum 45 years in the case—five years for each baby allegedly abused. The suspended portion was tied to the maximum time allowed under the plea agreement between Erin Strotman. her lawyer. and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Strotman is also set to serve the time consecutively.
Her punishment did not end with prison time. Her nursing license is gone. and she is permanently barred from working as a nurse or in healthcare. including home care. She is also never allowed to be a caregiver for anyone under 18 or vulnerable adults. Additionally. after her release from prison. she cannot have unsupervised contact with a child under 18 who is not related to her for five years.
During the June 5 sentencing hearing—the first time Strotman publicly addressed the case—attorneys argued she didn’t intend to harm the babies. They said the actions were connected to practices she had allegedly learned while working in the NICU.
Strotman offered an apology in court, saying, “I’m sorry for the years of stress that each of you and your children endured,” according to WRIC. She added, “For a long time, I did not think I was responsible… I realize I am responsible and that weighs on me every day.”
The judge denied a request for home confinement, reasoning that the former NICU nurse would not be safe in prison due to the high-profile nature of the case. At the time of the latest hearing, Strotman was in Henrico County Jail.
Her attorney, Ted Bruns, said she could serve as little as 65% of her three-year sentence depending on her behavior.
Outside the courthouse, and inside it, parents described a different kind of sentence—one that cannot be measured in years.
Five parents spoke at Strotman’s sentencing. Ashli Mason, who works in healthcare and whose baby suffered 12 fractures, said no sentence would ever make her or other parents feel whole. “You and I took the same oath,” Mason directed at Erin in court.
Dominique Hackey. whose twins were under Strotman’s care in 2023. said he felt violated and carried the “guilt of failure.” One of his sons suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left tibia. Outside the courthouse. Hackey said he only felt “anger.” He added. “And I think anybody would looking in the face of their child’s abuser and all you’re able to do is just tell them how you feel and these are emotions that I’ve been feeling for almost three years now. ” according to the report.
Across the testimony, the parents’ shared message was that while their children are alive and doing better, trust has been permanently damaged.
All the parents who spoke said their children are happy and healthy now, despite Erin Strotman.
Erin Strotman NICU nurse baby abuse Henrico Doctors’ Hospital felony child abuse Virginia sentencing nursing license revoked