Robert Wittman

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - 12 On Your Side is fact checking a pair of ads for the hotly contested First Congressional District race in Virginia.

“Negative advertising has become more prevalent and appears earlier because voting starts so much earlier. They don’t want to miss the opportunity to present some negative information about their opponent,” said Larry Sabato, UVa Political Analyst.

A recent ad from Wittman for Congress claims to expose Taylor’s alleged failures in the Henrico NICU abuse case.

In it, her opponent highlights how Taylor let the nurse in question go back to work resulting in more babies being harmed.

Following an internal investigation into unexplained fractures found on four premature babies in the summer of 2023, Erin Strotman was placed on administrative leave.

But when a Child Protective Services probe could not identify a suspect at that time, Henrico Doctors’ Hospital actually allowed her to return to work in late 2024.

Within weeks of her returning, three more babies suffered broken bones and severe injuries.

Taylor’s official criminal case began with Strotman’s arrest in January 2025.

With that explanation we will rate this ad as false.

But Taylor is firing back with her own ad featuring a parent of one of the abused babies.

The ad claims Taylor got a sentence six times tougher than state law recommends and went to the General Assembly to change a law.

While the Virginia state sentencing guidelines recommended a sentence of just 6 months of incarceration, a Henrico Judge sentenced Strotman to 3 years of active prison time exactly six times the guideline recommendation.

To close a loophole on delayed reporting, Taylor did support new legislation.

A new law now enhances the penalties for mandated officials at hospitals who fail to report suspected child abuse or neglect immediately.

“I think it increases cynicism about politics. It’s a terrible addition to our political system like the flood of political money that cannot be stopped,” said Sabato.

The influx of money has directly influenced the messaging in this tight race, where a late September/early October poll showed Taylor holding a narrow lead.

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