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Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, 26 and from Chesterfield County, in an incident in November. Strotman previously worked at Henrico Doctors', but it is unclear when and why her employment ended. According to her Facebook page, Strotman started at the hospital as a registered nurse in 2019.Ìý  

On Friday, Strotman was denied bond during an arraignment in Henrico Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. The court also appointed her a lawyer. She did not make a plea.Ìý

In November, hospital leaders , or NICU, had experienced fractures for no obvious reason. The hospital has since stopped accepting new patients to the NICU, which treats infants born prematurely or with complications.

"First, my thoughts are with the families of the injured children, who suffered harm while in a facility designed to provide comfort and care," said Shannon Taylor, commonwealth's attorney for Henrico. "We will leave no stone unturned."

The November incidents were similar to a string of cases in 2023, when four babies suffered unexplained fractures. In one case, the Henrico Department of Social Services determined a hospital employee physically abused a premature newborn, WTVR-TV reported. It is unclear what happened to that employee.Ìý

Henrico police described the investigation as ongoing, as investigators are combing through hundreds of hours of surveillance video inside the NICU. Video surveillance was the primary evidence authorities used to present the charges, Taylor said. Police have reopened their investigation into the 2023 injuries, and it is not clear why the investigation was closed before.

Strotman has been charged with one violation of abuse and malicious wounding involving one patient. The families of three victims appeared in court on Friday, but none of them was the family of the victim in this case, Taylor said. Henrico authorities have been in contact with all seven families. Asked if all seven victims are still alive, Taylor declined to speak to their status, except to say that the victim in this case is alive.Ìý

Although Strotman was charged in connection to just one victim, Taylor said her office is investigating whether Strotman caused the other fractures. If there is evidence suggesting that, authorities will bring additional charges. The investigation will examine why no arrests were made in 2023 and whether there is a deficiency in the system, Taylor said.Ìý

Prosecutors asked Judge Stacy E. Lee not to grant bond, and Lee granted that request, meaning Strotman will remain at Henrico's jail. She is due back in court on March 24, but her lawyer could request a bond hearing before that. If she is released, she will not be allowed to have contact with minors, Taylor said.Ìý

Lee did not allow media inside the courtroom on Friday. Taylor said the victims' families did not want media present because the victims were babies. Strotman appeared on a video feed from jail and, from outside the courtroom, she could be heard crying and telling the court she last visited the hospital the week of Thanksgiving.Ìý

Eric English, chief of Henrico police, said he appreciated the families' and public's patience as the investigation continues. HCA Healthcare, which owns Henrico Doctors', first revealed the injuries on Dec. 24.

Henrico police received assistance from the county's Child Protective Services office, Virginia State Police, the Virginia Department of Health and the Office of the Attorney General, English added. HCA has assisted law enforcement in its investigation, said Wes Hester, a spokesperson for HCA.

"We are both shocked and saddened by this development in the investigation and are focused on continuing to care for our patients and providing support to our colleagues who have been deeply and personally impacted by this investigation," Hester said.

"For more than 30 years, the NICU at Henrico Doctors' Hospital has provided necessary and life-saving care to babies in central Virginia, and we remain focused on ensuring the availability of that care in our community."  

Malicious wounding is a Class 3 felony in Virginia, punishable by a prison term of five to 20 years. Child abuse is a Class 4 felony and can carry a term of two to 10 years.

In the fall, a group that assesses safety at hospitals across the country, called The Leap Frog Group, awarded Henrico Doctors' .Ìý