Nurse Accused of Abusing Premature Baby in Michigan Hospital

A nurse in Michigan faces serious charges after allegedly assaulting a 4-month-old baby girl who was born prematurely, resulting in multiple broken bones and bruises, as well as injuries to her tongue.

Kieran Ansley, 43, was terminated from her position at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids and now faces several counts of child abuse.

The infant, born four months early, had been improving after spending a significant time in the ICU, and was anticipated to go home by April, according to reports.

Her grandfather, Robert Steavens, shared that she was born weighing just over a pound and had reached her due date, ready to leave the hospital when the incident occurred just days before her planned discharge.

On April 2, the baby’s mother arrived to visit her daughter. As she neared the room, Ansley reportedly rushed to intercept them, claiming that the infant had “slept through the night” prior to their arrival.

Upon entering the room, the mother noticed her daughter’s tongue appeared “blue and black” along with several new bruises that were not present the previous night.

In court documents, Ansley reportedly suggested that she had seen similar injuries in the past, and they didn’t seem concerning to her.

During the investigation, one staff member indicated that Ansley appeared flustered and even somewhat frustrated that night, with others describing her as “scatterbrained” and “overwhelmed.”

A log from that night revealed 32 instances of staff members entering the baby’s room, with Ansley having been responsible for 27 of those visits.

Ansley’s attorney stated that she has been cooperative throughout the investigation, highlighting her lengthy experience in ICU settings and characterizing her as a “very good person.” He expressed confidence that their inquiry would reveal the truth.

Released on bond, Ansley is scheduled to appear in court on November 10 and was dismissed from her job following these allegations.

Currently, the infant, now 10 months old, is thriving at home. Steavens expressed gratitude for her progress, saying, “We’ve been blessed, and we’ve watched the baby grow.” He also mentioned that the family is focused on healing and trusting the process moving forward.