A Lee County judge has rejected a proposed plea agreement for a 65-year-old nurse accused of failing to respond to a medical emergency involving a premature infant. The decision sends the felony child neglect case to trial.
Sharlene Janet Pflugrad appeared in Lee County Circuit Court on Monday for a hearing on charges stemming from an incident on September 15, 2025. Prosecutors had offered a deal requiring 364 days in jail, 48 months of probation, and surrender of her nursing license.
Judge Bruce Kyle declined to accept the no-contest plea after Pflugrad gave an equivocal response when asked if she agreed to its terms. The judge set trial for Tuesday morning at 8:30.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Pflugrad was caring for the infant overnight when oxygen levels dropped. She sent photos of the readings to the mother but did not wake the parents or administer oxygen as required. Surveillance video allegedly showed her muting alarms repeatedly.
The child was later treated at Golisano Children's Hospital and recovered. Pflugrad had previously faced a similar investigation in 2024 that did not result in charges.