Grand Rapids, Michigan — A nurse at a Michigan children’s hospital has been accused of abusing a premature 4-month-old baby girl, allegedly leaving the infant with broken bones, bruises and injuries to her tongue just days before she was expected to finally leave the hospital.
Kieran Ansley, 43, was fired from Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids after the allegations surfaced. She is facing multiple counts of child abuse in connection with the infant’s injuries.
The case has left the baby’s family shaken after months of watching the child fight her way through serious medical challenges.
Baby Was Born Just 23 Weeks Into Pregnancy
The infant was born approximately four months premature, weighing only 1 pound, 1 ounce, according to her grandfather, Robert Steavens.
Despite her extremely early birth, the baby continued making progress after spending months in the hospital’s intensive care unit. By April, the family believed she was finally close to going home.
“She was born at 23 weeks: 1 pound, 1 ounce,” her grandfather, Robert Steavens, told WOOD-TV. “And she made it through her due date, ready to go home. And then two days before she was ready to go home, this happened.”
The family was preparing for what should have been a major milestone when concerns about the infant’s condition suddenly emerged.
Mother Notices Bruises and Discolored Tongue
According to court records, the baby’s mother arrived at the hospital on April 2. As she approached her daughter’s room, Ansley allegedly moved quickly to intercept the family before they reached the infant.
Court records say Ansley told them that the baby had “slept through the night.” But the mother noticed something was wrong.
The infant’s tongue appeared “blue and black,” according to court records, and the mother also noticed several bruises that had not been present the previous night.
Ansley allegedly responded that she had “seen this in the past and it was not a big deal.” The discovery prompted an investigation into what had happened to the infant.
Hospital Records Raise Additional Questions
Investigators examining the events surrounding the baby’s injuries also reviewed hospital staff records from the night in question.
One hospital employee reportedly told investigators that Ansley appeared “flustered” and “a little bit frustrated” that night. Other descriptions in court records characterized her as “scatterbrained,” “heated” and “overwhelmed.”
A staff log documenting activity around the infant’s room also drew investigators’ attention. According to court records, there were 32 recorded instances of someone entering the baby’s room that night.
Ansley reportedly accounted for 27 of those visits, making her the staff member associated with the overwhelming majority of the recorded entries.
The investigation ultimately led to criminal charges against the former nurse.
Defense Says Nurse Cooperated With Investigation
Ansley’s attorney, Damian Nunzio, told WOOD-TV that his client has cooperated with investigators.
Nunzio also emphasized Ansley’s previous experience working with critically ill patients, saying she had spent “many years” working with ICU patients.
He described her as a “very good person” and said the defense expects the investigation to clarify what happened.
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“And we are confident that our investigation will let the truth come to light,” Nunzio added.
Ansley was released on bond following the charges. She was also fired from Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital after the allegations came to light.
Baby Is Now Home With Her Family
Despite the serious allegations and injuries, the family says the child has continued to recover. The baby, now 10 months old, is home with her family and is reportedly doing well.
Steavens said the family has been grateful to watch the child continue growing after everything she experienced.
“We’ve been blessed, and we’ve watched the baby grow,” he continued. “We’re trusting in God and healing as a family and trusting the process will move forward.”
Ansley is expected to appear in court on Nov. 10, where the case will continue. The allegations remain criminal charges, and the legal proceedings will determine the facts and outcome of the case.
For the family, however, the focus remains on the child’s recovery after an ordeal that came just days before she was supposed to leave the hospital.
What are your thoughts on this case? Share your reaction in the comments and join the conversation about the allegations and the baby’s recovery.
