Henrico Doctors' Hospital nurse faces malicious wounding, child abuse charges

Henrico Police officials have arrested and charged a Chesterfield County woman in connection with an ongoing investigation involving the Henrico Doctors’ Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, 26, faces charges of malicious wounding and felony child abuse in connection to an incident that occurred in November, according to police. She was taken into custody Jan. 2 and booked at Henrico Jail West Jan. 3, according to WTVR. The charges carry a maximum of 30 years in jail in total.

The arrest comes about a week after officials at the hospital announced that they were pausing admission to the NICU because three babies had been discovered with "unexplainable fractures" there in November and December. Four other babies had suffered similar injuries there during the summer of 2023.

According to her Facebook page, Strotman was a registered nurse who began working at Henrico Doctors' Hospital June 3, 2019. She was employed there during all times relevant to the investigation, according to Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor, but no longer is employed there.

“While there has been an arrest for one person for allegedly inflicting injury on a single victim, I would emphasize this is an ongoing investigation spanning potential offenses committed in both 2023 and 2024," Taylor said in a statement. "I assure the public that the investigation of these matters will be thorough and, if sufficient evidence arises to establish the criminal culpability of other individuals, additional charges will be brought forthwith without fear of or favor to any party.”

During her court appearance Friday, Strotman was denied bail and ordered to have no contact with any child under the age of 18. Her next court date will be March 24 at 2 p.m.

Henrico Police officials are reviewing dozens of videos from inside the NICU, they said, and detectives also are re-examining the 2023 and 2024 cases as part of their broader investigation.

 “We appreciate the families’ and public’s patience as we work as thoroughly and expeditiously as possible to investigate every piece of evidence in connection to these cases,” said Henrico Chief of Police Eric D. English. “I would also like to acknowledge the unwavering efforts of our detectives who continue to comb through hundreds of hours of footage and extend my sincere gratitude to 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 this matter.”

Anyone with additional information about these incidents is asked to contact Henrico Police Det. M. Lynch at police@henrico.gov or submit tips anonymously via Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or by using P3tips.com.