Michigan Nurse Accused of Assaulting Premature Infant

A nurse at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been accused of assaulting a premature infant in his care. Kieran Ansley, 43, is facing four counts of child abuse.

The baby girl, born four months premature at 23 weeks gestation and weighing just over a pound, had been hospitalized since November 2025. She was scheduled to be discharged in April when her mother discovered her with multiple injuries.

According to court documents, the mother found the infant with broken leg bones and bruises on her tongue, hands, arms, thigh, buttocks, and abdomen. The mother reported that her daughter had appeared normal the previous evening, but the next morning, her tongue was a concerning blue-black color.

Ansley allegedly intercepted the mother as she approached the baby’s room, stating the infant had “slept through the night” and downplaying the blue discoloration of her tongue as normal. Hospital staff were alerted to the mother’s concerns, launching an investigation.

An examination of hospital logs indicated that Ansley had entered the baby's room 27 times overnight, while other staff members entered a combined five times. Other nurses interviewed stated the baby had shown no signs of trauma during their interactions.

Some staff members described Ansley as seeming “flustered and a little bit frustrated” and “scatterbrained” and “in over his head” with his assignment.

Ansley was arrested earlier this month and has been released on bond. As a condition of his release, he is required to wear an electronic tracking device. He has been fired from Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, according to hospital officials.

His next court appearance is scheduled for November. The baby girl, now 10 months old, is reportedly doing well at home.