The Wright Family Foundation special care nursery at Bellevue Woman's Center Tuesday March 18, 2014,in Niskayuna, NY. (Photo by John Carl D'Annibale /Albany Times Union via Getty Images)
When the world first learned about Erin Strotman, many likened her story to a horror movie plot. The former NICU nurse had been accused of physically harming, including breaking the bones, of nine premature babies in Virginia. On January 15, more than a year after Strotman’s arrest, a court found her guilty of nine counts of felony child abuse. Earlier this month, she was sentenced to 45 years in prison. However, that sentence was reduced to only three years and here’s why.
Three years. That’s all the time Erin Strotman will have to serve in prison after harming premature children entrusted to her care at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital between 2023 and 2024. Her arrest on January 3, 2025, was in connection with one incident involving a baby in November 2024. She reportedly posted bond and spent time on house arrest.
After the hospital’s internal investigation uncovered multiple similar incidents, Strotman was criminally charged. Surveillance footage showed the NICU nurse mishandling the babies and committing other abusive actions during routine diaper changes and cleanings, leading to broken bones and other injuries. In fact, 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. Some babies were as young as 23 weeks, weighing as little as 11 ounces, per WRIC.
So, on January 15, she was found guilty of nine counts of abuse. Then, about five months later on June 5, Strotman was back in court for sentencing. A judge handed her the maximum sentence in the case: 45 years five for each baby she allegedly abused. However, the judge ultimately suspended the sentence to three years, four months for each baby harmed.
Reportedly, that’s the maximum time allowed under the plea agreement between Erin, her lawyer and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. She will serve the time consecutively. Additionally, her nursing license is gone and she is permanently barred from working as a nurse or in healthcare, including home care. She’s also never allowed to be a caregiver for anyone under 18 or vulnerable adults. Also, she cannot have unsupervised contact with a child under 18 years old who is not related to her for five years after her release from prison.
Attorneys for the former NICU nurse argued that she didn’t intend to harm the babies in question. Instead, they claimed, she was using practices she had allegedly learned while working in the NICU. The sentencing hearing on June 5 marked the first time she publicly addressed the case.
“Im sorry for the years of stress that each of you and your children endured,” Strotman said in court, according to WRIC. “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 the attorneys’ request for home confinement, arguing that the former NICU would not be safe in prison due to the high-profile case. At the time of the latest hearing, she was in Henrico County Jail. Her attorney, Ted Bruns, claimed the former NICU nurse could serve as little as 65% of her three-year sentence, depending on her behavior.
Also, five parents of babies Erin Strotman allegedly abused spoke at her sentencing. Their messages echoed sentiments of betrayal and standing mistrust of medical professionals. Ashli Mason, who works in healthcare and whose baby suffered 12 fractures, reportedly said no sentence will ever make her or other parents feel whole. “You and I took the same oath,” she directed at Erin in court.
Dominique Hackey, whose twins were under Strotman’s care in 2023, said he felt violated and suffered with the “guilt of failure.” One of his sons suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left tibia. Outside the courthouse, he admitted to only feeling “anger.”
“And I think anybody would looking in the face of their childs abuser and all youre able to do is just tell them how you feel and these are emotions that Ive been feeling for almost three years now,” Hackey reportedly said.
All the parents who spoke said their children are happy and healthy now, despite Erin Strotman.
