Former Henrico nurse accused of harming NICU babies will plead guilty as part of deal
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Editor's Note: This article contains descriptions of premature babies being neglected, mishandled and harmed. Viewer discretion is advised.
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Erin Strotman, the former Henrico Doctors' Hospital nurse who is accused of abusing or neglecting several premature babies, will plead guilty to some of her nearly two dozen charges in mid-January as part of a plea deal, according to her attorney.
After several babies within Henrico Doctors' Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) were found to have "unexplainable fractures," multiple investigations were launched into how these babies could have been harmed.
Following those investigations, Strotman was hit with a total of 20 charges relating to her alleged cruelty towards nine premature babies who were under her care between 2022 and 2024. This includes charges of malicious wounding and felony child abuse.
Documents from the Virginia Board of Nursing contain detailed descriptions of the abusive and neglectful ways Strotman is accused of handling infants in the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This includes Strotman allegedly putting heavy pressure on babies' legs and abdomens, squeezing them with "excessive force," moving them around carelessly and lifting them while only holding their head.
Video that allegedly depicts Strotman carrying out similar abuse was previously entered into evidence in her criminal case.
Strotman was supposed to stand trial in February. However, her defense attorney, Jeffrey Everhart, told 8News that she will be pleading guilty to at least some of the charges she faces during an upcoming plea hearing on Thursday, Jan. 15 as part of a plea deal. He could not confirm how many she would be pleading guilty to at this time, but said it should be "several."
"There's been a lot of negotiation and we think that we are reaching a just, fair and reasonable resolution," Everhart said. "Both parties are giving up some things and both parties are ceding some things."
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He added that this is the "nature of the beast," saying that "nobody gets the whole pie."
During Thursday's hearing, the Commonwealth will summarize the evidence against Strotman and her defense team will share more as needed, according to Everhart. A presentence report will then be ordered, which will likely include a substance abuse evaluation for Strotman.
Strotman will be sentenced no earlier than 90 days after Thursday's hearing -- but Everhart said he imagines it will take longer than that.
After Strotman enters her guilty plea, it's possible she could be taken into custody pending her sentencing. Everhart told 8News that his team will be asking that this not happen.
"She's been out with no problems since last year," he said.
The Virginia Board of Nursing has yet to reschedule its hearing on the fate of Strotman's nursing license, which was suspended in May 2025 pending an investigation into her alleged conduct. Notably, the board's investigation is entirely separate from Strotman's criminal case.
No additional information is available as of the time of reporting. For all of our coverage on this case, click here.
Correction: This story was updated to accurately reflect the name of Erin Strotman's defense attorney.
