Florida nurse sentenced for ignoring premature baby’s alarms
Florida nurse sentenced to 30 months for ignoring alarms on a premature baby’s oxygen monitor, pleading no contest to felony child neglect in 2026.
A Florida nurse has been sentenced to prison after repeatedly silencing alarms on a premature baby’s oxygen monitor instead of taking emergency action. Sharlene Janet Pflugrad, 66, received 30 months in prison and 30 months of probation from Lee County Judge Bruce Kyle after pleading no contest to one count of felony child neglect in July. The case nearly reached trial when Pflugrad initially refused the plea deal but later withdrew her objection.
The incident occurred on September 15, 2025, during an overnight shift when Pflugrad cared for a premature infant born at 24 weeks, who required constant oxygen monitoring. The child’s parents were instructed to administer up to 2 liters of oxygen and call emergency services if the baby’s oxygen saturation fell below 88%. Instead, investigators allege, Pflugrad sent the mother a text at 11:24 p.m. showing readings of 81% and 79%, then failed to wake the parents or follow emergency protocols.
The mother did not check the text until 6:13 a.m. the next day. By then, the infant’s condition had worsened, and emergency responders were called after the parents could not stabilize the child’s oxygen levels with 4 liters of oxygen. Surveillance footage later showed Pflugrad had muted the pulse oximeter’s alarms repeatedly, changed sensors multiple times, and told the monitor to “shut up” while ignoring distress signals.
Investigators reviewed 147 video clips documenting her actions, which included brief chest compressions but no emergency response. The infant was taken to Golisano Children’s Hospital, where doctors diagnosed RSV bronchiolitis, respiratory acidosis, and prolonged oxygen deprivation. A medical evaluation concluded evidence of neglect existed, noting Pflugrad had failed to perform even basic nursing assessments while the child remained in respiratory distress. The baby was discharged the following day but suffered serious complications. Pflugrad suggested the readings may have resulted from equipment problems.
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According to the affidavit, technicians found the monitor functioned properly and identified no defects. She also submitted a written statement to her employer, Aveanna Healthcare, claiming she believed the readings were unstable due to sensor issues and that the child’s oxygen levels did not drop low enough to require immediate action. However, Aveanna’s internal investigation contradicted her account, finding she had failed to administer oxygen, perform required assessments, or properly document the child’s care.
The company suspended her without pay. Prosecutors had initially proposed a plea deal requiring 364 days in jail, 48 months of probation, forfeiture of her nursing license, and a ban from contacting the victim’s family. But during the plea hearing in July, Pflugrad appeared uncertain about the agreement, replying, “Not really, but” when asked if she understood its terms. Judge Kyle rejected the plea, stating the case would proceed to trial the next morning.
After further confusion, she clarified she accepted the deal, but her hesitation had already led to the judge’s refusal. Pflugrad’s case is not her first encounter with law enforcement. Investigators noted she was previously investigated in 2024 after allegations she ignored medical alerts for another medically fragile child, resulting in permanent brain damage. Prosecutors declined to file charges in that case. The child ultimately recovered, demonstrating the importance of medical monitoring in neonatal care.
Premature infants, particularly those born at 24 weeks, are among the most vulnerable patients, relying entirely on caregivers to respond to life-threatening alarms. The case also highlights concerns about oversight in home healthcare, where nurses often work alone without immediate supervision. Aveanna Healthcare’s internal findings suggest possible systemic failures contributed to the oversight, though no broader policy changes have been announced. Pflugrad’s sentencing followed a trial-like process after her initial resistance to the plea deal forced the judge to reject it, resulting in a longer prison term than the original offer.
