Pediatrician accused of child sex abuse found dead; second provider faces charges
VANCOUVER, Wash. — A southwest Washington pediatrician likely took his own life after police tied him to an investigation into child molestation and the distribution of child sex abuse material, the Vancouver Police Department revealed Monday.
The investigation began in February, when Vancouver police received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about child sex abuse material, or CSAM, tied to an IP address in Vancouver.
Hartley was booked into the Clark County Jail on four counts of second-degree dealing in child pornography, four counts possession of child pornography, and first-degree child molestation.
A spokesman for PeaceHealth said Hartley was immediately placed on leave when they learned about the accusations and he has since been fired.
"We also immediately began a thorough review of his interactions with patients and will act quickly on any information identified that affects patient care," said PeaceHealth spokesman Jim Murez.
Through the investigation, detectives connected Hartley to Dr. Michael R. Wilmington, a pediatrician VPD said was "affiliated with multiple medical facilities" in the greater Portland-Vancouver area. Wilmington allegedly hosted naked sleepovers with young kids at his home in La Center.
Police served a search warrant at Wilmington's home on April 30, seizing "numerous items of evidence." By May 1, VPD said, more information connected Wilmington to the sex abuse of a child at his home, and there was a felony warrant for first-degree child molestation issued for the pediatrician.
But on May 2, Vancouver police learned that Wilmington had been found dead in Lewis County in an apparent suicide. The Lewis County Sheriff's Office is in charge of the death investigation.
An investigation into the activities of Wilmington and Hartley is being conducted by VPD and the Clark County Sheriff's Office. Anyone aware of a child who may have had unsupervised contact with either man is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency.
Kaiser Permanente confirmed to KGW in a statement that Wilmington was a physician at their Salmon Creek Medical Office. According to Kaiser, they were informed April 30 of the allegations against him.
"We immediately terminated his employment, privileges and access to all facilities and systems. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement, who informed us of Dr. Wilmington’s death," Kaiser said, in part. "The allegations in this matter are serious, and our primary concern is for our patients, their families, and our workforce.
"We have arranged for Dr. Wilmington’s patients to be cared for by other Kaiser Permanente physicians to ensure continuity of care and no disruption to ongoing treatment. We encourage any patients or parents who need support or counseling related needs to contact us at 877-226-1264.
"We urge anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact your local law enforcement office."
Various online directories indicate that Wilmington was also affiliated with Peace Health Southwest Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside, Legacy Emanuel, Legacy Salmon Creek and Randall Children's Hospital. In response to inquiries from KGW, both Legacy and PeaceHealth said that Wilmington was never employed by them.
Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors
If you or someone you know have experienced sexual assault and need support, help is available.
- Beaverton Sexual Assault Resource Center: 503-626-9100, located at 4900 Southwest Griffith Drive, St. 135, Beaverton, OR 97005.
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673 or rainn.org, open 24/7
Portland firefighter gets pretrial release in child sex abuse material case, bail at $150K
A Portland Fire & Rescue firefighter accused of uploading child sexual abuse material to an online platform was granted pretrial release after a hearing held today, despite prosecutors arguing he posed a risk to the community and to children.
The case stems from an investigation headed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children involving child sexual assault material uploads to an online platform, police said.
The Portland Police’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit traced those uploads to the fire station IP address, and detectives identified Portland Fire & Rescue firefighter Andrew J. Ligatich, 43, as the person connected to the accounts, according to police.
PAST COVERAGE | Child exploitation uploads traced to IP at Portland fire station; firefighter charged
Ligatich turned himself in on April 20 and was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on three counts of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse and two counts of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct.
A Portland Fire & Rescue spokesperson said the bureau was initially contacted July 8, 2025 about the investigation into one of its employees. Ligatich was placed on paid administrative leave, which the spokesperson said is city policy. He was moved to unpaid leave after the indictment, back-dated to April 17, 2026.
At today’s pretrial release hearing, Judge Celia Howes granted Ligatich pretrial release and set bail at $150,000.
Howes also imposed strict conditions, including no internet-capable devices and no internet access anywhere.
Under the conditions, Ligatich is barred from contact with minors and he cannot go places where minors are present, including schools and parks.
Howes ordered GPS monitoring once bail is posted and said Ligatich will be monitored.
The judge also required documented supervision described as a “chaperone,” who will be responsible for reporting any violations; the court said the chaperone could be held in contempt for failing to report violations.
Howes is allowing Ligatich to live with his father once released.
During the hearing, a PPB detective called to testify as a state witness described allegations that included Ligatich’s alleged use of the Kik messaging app to distribute and exchange photos showing child sexual materials.
=====================================================================================
City detention officer accused of posting videos of him sexually assaulting girl, 13, on social media
Richard Mendoza, 22, was arrested and charged with continuous sex abuse of a child under 14 and possession of child pornography
San Antonio Park Police officer arrested after assaulting woman, BCSO says
SAN ANTONIO – A City of San Antonio detention officer was arrested Wednesday morning, after a criminal investigation determined he posted videos of him sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl on the social media platform X.
Richard Mendoza, 22, was taken into custody around 4 a.m. while at work at the city’s detention facility at 401 S. Frio St., a source confirmed to KSAT.
Mendoza, who has worked as a detention officer since 2024, faces two first-degree felony charges of continuous sex abuse of a child under 14 and possession of more than 50 items of child pornography, booking records show.
Mendoza has since been placed on administrative leave.
San Antonio police detectives began investigating Mendoza in September after an anonymous tip was submitted to Crime Stoppers.
The tipster told police Mendoza posted videos of him engaged in sex acts with a 13-year-old girl on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
A review of Mendoza’s account showed a man with visible and distinct tattoos on his arms as well as the posting of a medical report that contained Mendoza’s first name and his age.
The victim, when first questioned by detectives, denied being sexually assaulted, the warrant states.
In a subsequent forensic interview conducted with the victim days later, she again denied being sexually assaulted.
Search warrants for the X account belonging to Mendoza, however, uncovered footage of Mendoza sexually assaulting the girl in addition to sexually explicit messages shared between the two of them, records show.
During a third interview with detectives on Tuesday, the victim confirmed being sexually assaulted by Mendoza four to five times between August and November 2025, the warrant states.
According to court records, a Bexar County judge set Mendoza’s combined bond at $250,000.
City detention officers fall under SAPD’s purview.
SAPD officials on Wednesday initially did not respond to an email seeking comment on Mendoza’s arrest.
Four minutes after KSAT first published this story, an SAPD spokesperson sent the following statement:
Today, Detention Officer Richard Mendoza, with the San Antonio Adult Arrestee Processing Center, was arrested on an active warrant for Sex Abuse Child Victim Under 14/Disabled Person by the San Antonio Police Department. Mendoza has been placed on administrative leave.
Detention Officer Mendoza has been employed by the City of San Antonio since 2024. The San Antonio Police Department is conducting a criminal investigation into this incident and this is all the information we are releasing at this time.
San Antonio Police Department
Man sentenced to over 2 decades for sexually abusing girlfriend's daughter
CANTON, Ga. — A man was sentenced to spend over two decades in prison for sex crimes involving a child of his former girlfriend, prosecutors say.
Deputies in Cherokee County began the investigation in January 2025 after a 14-year-old girl told her therapist about abuse by 35-year-old Chase Taylor Doughty.
During a forensic interview, the teen told detectives that she was about six years old when the abuse began at a home outside of Cherokee County.
The victim revealed the abuse continued for years, occurring about two to three times a week at a home in Ball Ground.
"This defendant exploited a very young child's trust by telling her he did these things to her because he loved her, and even giving her money to gain her compliance," said Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Hines of the Special Victims Unit. "She continues to suffer from the emotional and mental toll of what he did, yet over time, she found the strength to speak up and bring his crimes to light."
Doughty was arrested and charged with:
- Aggravated child molestation
- Aggravated sodomy
- Two counts of aggravated sexual battery
- Two counts of child molestation
- Cruelty to children in the first degree
- Trafficking of persons for sexual servitude
During the hearing, Doughty pled guilty to all eight counts.
A Superior Court judge sentenced him to 25 years in prison, followed by life on probation with sex offender special conditions, including enrolling in the sex offender registry and no contact of any kind with anyone under the age of 18.
"When this child disclosed her abuse to a therapist, she finally received the help and protection she deserved," said District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway. "Thanks to her courage, her mother's support, a swift investigation by the Cherokee Sheriff's Office, and a strong prosecution, this defendant will never again be in a position to harm a child."
He's 35, sentenced to 25 years, that means he'll be out at least by the age of 60. How can you say 'never again'?
Information About Sexual Abuse of Children
Child abusers often engage in a grooming process that allows them to perpetrate sexual abuse undetected. "Grooming" in the context of child sexual abuse is a manipulative process intended to secure the child's silence.
Common characteristics of the grooming process include:
- Targeting the child
- Gaining the child and caregiver's trust
- Filling a need
- Using flattery and gifts
- Isolating the child
- Sexualizing the relationship
- Maintaining control
Children who have been groomed are often conflicted about their feelings for the abuser because they have methodically established a positive relationship with the child before introducing sexual touches.
Children who have been groomed are also more likely to conceal the abuse and delay disclosing the abuse to others.
To report suspected child abuse, call Child Protective Services at 855-422-4453. If the child is in immediate danger, call 911.
Pedophiles often enter relationships with single mothers specifically to get access to their children.
