What to Know
When an infant at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, suddenly had an unexplained injury in November 2024, staff became concerned. After an investigation, prosecutors ultimately charged nurse Erin Strotman with felony child abuse in relation to the case. As they continued investigating, they began to piece together a much larger puzzle. Between 2022 and 2024, nine infants suffered similar injuries while under Strotman’s care. In January 2025, the nurse pleaded no contest to nine counts of felony child abuse. She faced a maximum of 45 years in prison. But it looks like she’ll be out before serving even a fraction of the original sentence.
Strotman reportedly reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.
According to court documents reviewed by Law & Crime, Strotman was sentenced to 45 years in prison, five years per charge. WTRV reported that, under a plea agreement, Strotman will serve just three years in prison. Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor negotiated that in exchange for guilty pleas, the prosecution would seek a maximum of just three years in prison.
Taylor said the outcome of the case is not what she’d originally hoped for, WTRV reported.
“It wasn’t my choice that I wanted to actually do three years. That is not what I wanted to do, but sentencing guidelines, which is something that is utilized in the Commonwealth of Virginia, can give guidance to courts as to what is an appropriate sentence, and in this case, as unimaginable as it is, the sentencing guidelines was recommending six months for the abuse of nine babies, so when coming up with a proposed sentence, the maximum cap that we came up with that was six times as much as what the guidelines offered,” she said outside the court building.
Moms of the injured babies said they were satisfied with the outcome.
Heartbroken mothers shared thoughts immediately after leaving the sentencing hearing, per WTRV.
“Across the board, there were a lot of fractures, and she needed to be held accountable for that, and that’s what took place today,” Mom Malissa Nelson said.
Ashli Mason, whose child was also injured by Strotman, spoke of watching her leave the courtroom in handcuffs.
“It felt good. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, that comes off evil, but I now know that my child’s abuser is behind bars, and we’ll be going behind bars, and I’m happy with that,” Mason said.
A reportedly teary-eyed Strotman addressed the court.
Strotman spoke to the families of her victims and gave an apology.
“I would like to sincerely apologize for the accidental harm that was inflicted on the babies…” She added, “I never intended to hurt your children, and I am so sorry.”
Strotman’s defense argues she was simply trying to help the infants release gas using a leg-raising technique.
“I’m sorry for the years of stress and suffering,” The former nurse said. “For a long time, I did not think I was responsible, but through this case, I realize that I am and that weighs heavily on me every single day.”
In addition to three years in prison, Stroman must also permanently surrender her nursing license. She cannot work with minors or vulnerable adults older than 18 as part of her guilty plea.
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