Santa Cruz mental health specialist arrested on child sex assault charges

As reported by KSBW

A 56-year-old man who works as a mental health specialist for Santa Cruz County was arrested Thursday morning.

Christopher McCauley is a well-known mental health specialist and community liaison at the county's Health Services Agency. According to his Facebook page, he works with children for the Health Services Agency. He was booked into jail on suspicion of sexually assaulting a child who is younger than 11 years old. His bail was set at $100,000.

Sheriff's deputies said Child Protective Services agents alerted them about McCauley's inappropriate behavior. McCauley was arrested by sheriff's deputies at 1400 Emeline Ave., where he works in the county health department's building. McCauley is the first person who schools are instructed to call under the Santa Cruz County School Emergency Mental Heath Response Protocol.

Rayne Marr, Public Information Officer for Santa Cruz County, issued the following prepared statement to KSBW:

"This morning a county mental health client specialist in the Health Services Agency was arrested. The county is cooperating fully with law enforcement officials and remains steadfast in our commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for our clients. As you know, the employee does have a right to privacy and the county cannot comment on an ongoing law enforcement investigation," Marr said.

When asked if McCauley worked with children for the county, she declined to comment. Calls to McCauley's work phone number were not returned.

The Sheriff’s Office believes that there may be more victims. Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office Sexual Assault Unit at 831-454-7630.

Vista Del Mar Hospital Employee Arrested For Sexual Assault Of Psychiatric Patients

A Report from KEYT TV3 news

Police arrested 37-year-old Juan Pablo Valencia of Ventura Thursday on charges of sexual assault and rape of hospital patients.

Victim after victim came forward since the first incident was reported in October 2014—each with almost the same story. They were psychiatric patients at Vista Del Mar Hospital in Ventura and say Valencia sexually pursued them and continued to do so after their release.

The first victim reported the assaults occurred in 2013, with the rest of the victims coming forward in February 2015.

Valencia was initially arrested on January 2015 on the 2600 block of N Ventura Avenue. He was again arrested Thursday on the 600 block of Count Square Drive.

He is being held at Ventura County Jail under numerous sexual assault charges including rape of an intoxicated and institutionalized person.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding sexual misconduct by the suspect is urged to contact the Ventura Police Department at 805-339-4328.

ABC15 Investigation: AZ mental hospital fails to investigate, protect patients from sex abuse

ABC15 TV has been investigating the Arizona State Hospital, and here is the tip of a very big iceberg. There is much more in the original and related reports. What we share below is merely a highlight.

The Arizona State Hospital has failed to protect vulnerable patients from sex abuse and dangerous sexual activity; and in several cases, officials have failed to investigate serious allegations, according to a two-year ABC15 investigation.

[...]

The ABC15 Investigators reviewed thousands of pages of hospital, police and court records to compile a list of sex crime allegations at the Arizona State Hospital. By cross-referencing the records, ABC15 was also able to identify repeat offenders and victims.

From 2012 through 2014, we found: 

• There were 63 allegations of sex crimes, including rape, sex abuse and molestation.
• ASH investigated 24 of those allegations.
• ABC15 could only confirm 10 allegations resulted in reports with Arizona Adult Protective Services (APS) or law enforcement.

State law states that APS or a peace officer be notified immediately if there’s a “reasonable basis to believe that abuse or neglect of the adult has occurred.”

But several hospital sources have told ABC15 incidents go unreported, and they fear retaliation if they do report incidents outside of ASH.

“Staff has been basically threatened that if they do contact APS that repercussions will happen,” said one hospital source. “It goes unreported because staff is in fear of their jobs.”

Unreported allegations and crimes by healthcare officials can be a serious matter.

Arizona State Hospital has a long history of problems, it is a target rich environment for investigators Here are some of the Videos related to this report

Bangor psychiatrist ordered to stop treating women

As reported by the Bangor Daily News

A Bangor psychiatrist must stop treating women after allegedly developing an unprofessional relationship with a female patient, according to a state medical licensing board.

Dr. Fred Risser may treat only men and must submit to independent monitoring of his practice to ensure he meets prescribing and recordkeeping standards, his May 12 consent agreement with the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine states.

While a 30-year-old female was his patient in 2009 and 2010, Risser drove the woman to the pharmacy in his personal vehicle, advocated for her while she was in jail, deposited money into her jail bank account, stored her personal property at his home and allowed her access to his home while he was away, according to the agreement. Risser treated the patient at his private practice in Bangor and at Community Health and Counseling Services in Ellsworth.

In June 2013, Risser met with the licensing board and agreed to take classes in boundaries and professionalism, medical ethics, recordkeeping and the use of medications to treat psychiatric disorders. He also agreed to transfer the patient to another psychiatrist, the agreement states.

In April 2014, Community Health and Counseling warned Risser about prescribing tranquilizers to patients on opioid replacement medications, a combination that raises the risk of overdose and death.

Then in May 2014, a 51-year-old patient he treated in Ellsworth told the board Risser slapped her on the buttocks while escorting her up the stairs to an appointment.

Community Health and Counseling fired Risser in May 2014 for unprofessional conduct, according to the agreement. In signing the consent agreement, Risser neither admitted nor denied the allegations but acknowledged the board had enough evidence to determine the alleged incidents occurred if the issue were to proceed to a formal hearing. He must reimburse the board $4,344 for the cost of the investigation.

In other words, he did it.

Edward Hallowell, noted Boston area psychiatrist, charged with indecent assault

report from Boston's Channel 5

A noted specialist in the fields of attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is facing charges related to the alleged groping of a woman.

Dr. Edward M. Hallowell, who was in Waltham District Court on Monday for a hearing on the charge of indecent assault, is accused of squeezing the buttocks of a makeup artist last October. Hallowell, a psychiatrist and instructor at Harvard Medical School, was videotaping an interview in Watertown. The woman, whose name was redacted from the police report, filed the charges about a month after the alleged incident.

She said that Hallowell put his hand on her shoulder and touched her. "He followed my shape and he took his time," the police report says.

When interviewed, police said he called the incident a "terrible misunderstanding." “My client has a long and distinguished record in his field," said William Crowe, Hallowell's attorney. "It was not his intention to offend anyone and he is troubled his actions were perceived in any way as inappropriate. We are confident that Dr. Hallowell will be cleared and this matter will be resolved in his favor," Crowe said.

Hallowell is the founder Hallowell Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health in Sudbury.

Psychotherapist accused of sexually assaulting court-referred patient

From the report on Michigan Live

A Flint-area psychotherapist is behind bars after authorities claim he sexually abused a patient who was referred to him by the court. Hugh McQuade of Burton was arraigned Wednesday, April 29, on 14 counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Authorities claim he coerced a Genesee County probationer into sex acts.

Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell said the 46-year-old victim was on probation following her conviction on a felony cocaine charge and was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation. Pickell said the woman, who is not being named because she is the victim of an alleged sex crime, went to McQuade, who practiced at the Oakland Psychological Clinic, to fulfill the terms of her probation.

McQuade, 67, allegedly exposed his genitals to the woman while at the clinic, according to Pickell. The actions then allegedly evolved into groping and oral sex, the sheriff said. Pickell said he believes there were at least 14 separate incidents of inappropriate sexual contact between McQuade and the victim."She was forced into doing it," Pickell alleged.

Representatives from the clinic declined to comment on the case. The clinic's website lists McQuade as a staff member at its 2222 S. Linden Road location in Flint Township.

Pickell said his office became aware of the allegations after the victim was arrested for violating her probation by having a drug relapse. The sheriff said McQuade was arrested within two hours of the victim notifying his office of the incident. The victim is still in custody for the suspected probation violation.

A search warrant was executed and Pickell claimed his investigators discovered sexually explicit photos and videos involving McQuade and the victim. There was no attorney listed on file for McQuade.

The incident remains under investigation, and Pickell said he believes at least one other woman may have been victimized. "He's a wolf in sheep's clothing," Pickell said of McQuade. McQuade is held on $20,000 bond for each count. The charges carry a mandatory 15-year minimum prison sentence if convicted. Pickell said roughly half of McQuade's patients were court-referred.

[...]

The rest of the article was an attempt at damage control regarding court appointed psychotherapists.

Windsor psychiatrist Dr. Ravi Shenava charged with sexual assault

from the the Windsor Star

Dr. Ravi Shenava, 64, attended police headquarters March 9 and was arrested and subsequently charged. Police launched an investigation after a 28-year-old woman came forward Jan. 30, alleging a sexual assault had occurred at her psychiatrist’s office that day.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor police at 519-255-6700, ext. 4830, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477, online at www.catchcrooks.com or at Submit a Tip on Facebook.

Utah Child Psychiatrist David Wilson Now Faces Criminal Charges Related to Child Pornography. Has Lost Job, License Revoked

From the Standard Examiner

David Ford Wilson, 43, is charged with 15 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. He entered not guilty pleas to the charges on July 16, 2014.

At a Hearing today, Judge Scott Hadley scheduled a hearing for oral arguments on May 8.

Wilson was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, with assistance from the FBI in 2013, officials had said.

In late March of 2013, Intermountain Healthcare’s information system security department found that Wilson’s computer was being accessed to download and view child pornography. He was immediately terminated and the incident was reported to police.

Detectives served a search warrant for Wilson’s hard drive and after a forensic analysis, which can take a lengthy amount of time, he was arrested on Sept. 6, 2013.

Wilson was an osteopathic physician as well as an child psychiatrist for Weber County. The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing revoked his license to practice medicine and prescribe drugs. A panel of three doctors reviewed the case and made an emergency motion to suspend Wilson. McKay-Dee Hospital also released a statement in 2013 that said there is no evidence that any of Wilson’s patients were at risk.

Texas Medical Board hands out meger $5,000 dollar penalty for psychiatrist sex with patient.

As Reported on the East Texas Matters Website, an announcement from the Texas Medical Board which can also be found here (PDF)

On April 10, 2015, the Board and Fermin Briones, jr., M.D., entered into an Agreed Order publicly reprimanding Dr. Briones and requiring him to within 30 days undergo

an independent medical evaluation and

follow all recommendations for care and treatment;

within one year and three attempts pass the medical jurisprudence exam;

within one year complete at least 16 hours of in-person cme, divided as follows:

1. eight hours in ethics and
2. eight hours in HIPAA compliance;

and pay an administrative penalty of $5,000 within 90 days.

The board found Dr. Briones engaged in unprofessional conduct

by having a sexual relationship with a patient and

continuing to have inappropriate contact with the patient after the filing of the complaint alleging a sexual relationship had occurred with the patient; and

violated state and federal patient confidentiality laws through his filing of a lawsuit seeking a restraining order against the patient.

The initial Texas Medical Board report can be found here

Briones, Fermin, Jr., M.D., Lic. No. N0660, San Antonio On January 29, 2015 a disciplinary panel of the Texas Medical Board temporarily suspended, with notice, the Texas medical license of Fermin Briones, Jr., M.D., a San Antonio psychiatrist, after determining his continuation in the practice of medicine poses a continuing threat to public welfare. The suspension was effective immediately. The Board panel found that on June 6, 2014, a report with the Alamo Heights Police Department was filed alleging that Dr. Briones had initiated and nurtured a sexual relationship with a patient. Physical evidence, including videos, emails, and texts messages, demonstrate there was a sexual relationship. Dr. Briones continued to communicate with the patient via email and attempted to persuade her to not participate in the Board proceedings. On December 30, 2014, Dr. Briones sent an email to the patient threatening to report her to her professional licensing board should she continue to participate in the proceedings against him at the Board. The temporary suspension remains in place until the Board takes further action.

Here is a previous local TV news report