A Michigan nurse is facing serious accusations of severely harming a prematurely born 4-month-old girl at a children's hospital, resulting in multiple broken bones and extensive bruising, including injuries to her tongue.
Kieran Ansley, 43, formerly employed at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, has been charged with numerous counts of child abuse. She was terminated from her position after the allegations emerged.
The infant, born four months prematurely, had been making significant progress after an extended stay in the intensive care unit and was reportedly just days away from being discharged in April.
“She was born at 23 weeks — 1 pound, 1 ounce,” the child’s grandfather, Robert Steavens, shared. “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.”
Allegations Emerge During Hospital Visit
The incident reportedly occurred on April 2 when the child’s mother arrived for a visit. As she approached her daughter’s room, court records indicate that Ansley “jogged” to intercept them, informing them that the infant had “slept through the night.”
Upon seeing her child, the mother observed that the infant’s tongue appeared “blue and black” and noted several bruises on the baby’s body that had not been present the previous evening. According to court documents, Ansley allegedly dismissed these concerns, stating she had “seen this in the past, and it was not a big deal.”
Hospital Staff Observations and Investigation
During the subsequent investigation, other hospital personnel offered observations about Ansley's demeanor on the night the abuse allegedly occurred. One staff member described Ansley as appearing “flustered” and “a little bit frustrated,” while another characterized her as “scatterbrained.” Other accounts in court records depicted Ansley as being “heated” and “overwhelmed.”
A review of the hospital’s staff log for that night revealed 32 entries into the baby’s room. Records indicate that Ansley was responsible for 27 of these visits.
Defense Maintains Innocence
Ansley’s defense attorney, Damian Nunzio, stated that his client has cooperated fully with the investigation. Nunzio highlighted Ansley’s extensive experience, noting she had worked with ICU patients for “many years,” and described her as a “very good person.”
“And we are confident that our investigation will let the truth come to light,” Nunzio added.
Ansley has been released on bond and is scheduled to appear in court on November 10.
Infant's Recovery and Family's Hope
Now 10 months old, the child is reportedly back home and “doing wonderful,” according to her grandfather, Robert Steavens.
“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.”
