"I did my job": Former in-home nurse charged with child neglect speaks out after entering no-contest plea

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — The former in-home care nurse charged with child neglect is speaking out after entering a no-contest plea Tuesday, telling WINK News she believes she is being unfairly blamed.

Sharlene Pflugrad entered an open no-contest plea, meaning the agreement was not negotiated with the State Attorney's Office. 

RELATED: Fort Myers nurse accused of neglecting premature baby heads to trial

The plea comes one day after a proposed plea deal fell apart in court, sending the case toward trial.

After Tuesday's hearing, WINK Investigates reporter Olivia Jean spoke exclusively with Pflugrad outside the courtroom.

You can watch the full interview in the video above.

Pflugrad said she believes she is being unfairly blamed for what happened.

"I worked with the family over a year and a half, and I cared for the baby very much. And I did my job," Pflugrad said.

She also said she believes other medical professionals could find themselves in similar situations.

"I'm just warning anyone in the medical field that they could have a similar outcome and it's unfortunate that when an unfortunate event happens, the people that are trying to help the most, they get blamed," Pflugrad said.

Pflugrad was arrested in December and charged with child neglect in connection with the care of a premature infant who prosecutors say suffered a medical emergency while under her supervision.

Pflugrad is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 24. A judge will determine her sentence.