Psychiatrist charged with child pornography

From the St Tammany News

A Covington psychiatrist whose years of philanthropic work was recently recognized for an "Angel Among us Award" fell from grace Wednesday after he was arrested and charged with 107 counts of child pornography.

Dr. Steve Martin Taylor, 68, of 420 First Ave. E. in Covington, was arrested Wednesday by at least three armed St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies outside his home.

“I never would have guessed this,” said Judy Bird, a neighbor who watched the events unfold, her mouth dropping, hands on her face. “He just seems like such a friendly, good neighbor.”

Taylor, whose volunteer work included caring for 300 special needs patients in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and founding a suicide prevention organization in St. Tammany, was still in jail this afternoon in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

Seizing Taylor’s computer, deputies found the 107 images of children under the age of 17, Sheriff Jack Strain said in a press release. No evidence indicates any of the children were local victims, Strain said.

"I live here and have children here, and I know people look at this and are shocked," Strain said. "There’s no evidence to support this individual was taking advantage of children."

"This should send a clear message to any other member of the community, if you do this in St. Tammany you will get caught," he added.

Strain would not comment on what led to the investigation.

Taylor was set to receive the Angels Among Us Award, better known as the Hospice Foundation of the South’s Connie M. Husley Community Volunteer award, at a ceremony April 24. The event has since been canceled.

Taylor, a contract employee who performed emergency psychiatric commitment referrals for the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office, was also vice-chairman of the State Mental Health Advocacy Service and a member of the St. Tammany Parish Hospital Ethics Committee.

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