Wisconsin Nurse Who Broke Baby's Legs, Fractured Skull, Faces 148 Years in Jail

A former Wisconsin nurse has pleaded guilty to abusing nine babies at an intensive care unit, leaving them with injuries including broken legs and a fractured skull.

Christopher Kaphaem, 44, admitted to 19 felony counts including child abuse intentionally causing harm, child neglect with a consequence of bodily harm and intentionally abusing patients causing bodily harm at a Dane County court on Monday.

The charges relate to an investigation launched by police into injured children at Madison's UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital's infant intensive care unit in February 2018.

According to Channel 3000, who first broke the story, a number of babies were found suffering from injuries such as bruises and broken arms and legs.

As reported by the Wisconsin State Journal, eight of the injured babies were born prematurely, some as early as 27 weeks.

Dr. Barbara Knox, medical director of the American Family Children's Hospital Child Protection Program, previously testified that one boy had 17 fractures or suspected fractures, including to the ribs, extremities and skull, after being in the care of Kaphaem.

"[The rib injuries] are indicative of someone performing forces to that child. Typically, squeeze-type forces that are in way excess of any normal care," Knox said, reported WKOW in December.

"He also had a skull fracture which definitely did not occur from birth because there was the overlying soft tissue swelling. This would have been something that would have occurred from either a direct blow to the child, so something striking his head or his head being struck into something."

Kaphaem is believed to have injured the babies between March 2017 and February last year. Neither authorities nor Kaphaem have given a reason as to why the 44-year-old harmed the infants.

As reported by Channel 3000, one of the babies' mothers told police she had concerns about Kaphaem and would stay at the unit until his shift ended. She said he often appeared frustrated "like he was complaining about our baby" and that his tone and behavior around her child made her feel uncomfortable.

Other nurses at the hospital allege that the 44-year-old would ignore patient alarms and conduct care exams behind closed doors and in dim light.

Kaphaem faces a maximum sentence of 148 years in prison.

In a previous statement, UnityPoint Health-Meriter said it was "devastated by what happened."

"We know this has been a difficult journey for our patients, their families, our employees who serve them and our community," the statement added. "As an organization, we will work diligently to earn back your trust."