Michigan nurse Kieran Ansley, 43, has been charged with allegedly abusing a premature four-month-old girl while caring for her at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. The infant was reportedly found with multiple fractures and extensive bruising, including severe discolouration to her tongue, shortly before she was due to leave hospital.

Court documents say the injuries were discovered by the child’s mother on 3 April, after Ansley had been assigned to the infant’s care overnight. The hospital dismissed Ansley and is co-operating with police; he was arrested in September, released on bail with an electronic monitor, and denies no charges through his lawyer, who says he is co-operating. If convicted, the two felony charges could each carry up to 10 years in prison.