Meetings set on Lewes child sex abuse case
As the investigation of a Delaware pediatrician accused of sexually abusing his patients continues, a community attempts to deal with the “overwhelming” circumstances of the case.
Families affected by the child abuse charges surrounding a Lewes pediatrician will have a forum to ask questions and express concerns.
Starting Tuesday night, Beebe Medical Center in Lewes will conduct a series of community meetings.
The meetings are scheduled to take place Dec. 29, Jan. 12 and Jan. 26 in the McCurry conference room in the Medical Arts Building at the Beebe Health Campus.
Beebe Medical Center Vice President of Corporate Affairs Wallace Hudson says anyone can attend.
“The purpose is to have counselors available for parents and others in the community who are upset about what’s been going on and a place for them to come and talk to people,” he said.
The meetings were scheduled after Dr. Earl Bradley was arrested Dec. 16 and charged with 33 felony counts relating to seven victims. Officials with the Attorney General’s office say there could be more than 100 potential victims.
Bradley was not an employee at Beebe Medical Center, but was granted the privilege to practice pediatric medicine within Beebe Medical Center until Dec. 16, the day he was arrested.
As a doctor with “privileges” Bradley has been allowed to use some of the hospital’s facilities for the last 15 years.
For example, “a child is admitted with pneumonia, or to attend the birth of a newborn,” Hudson said.
When asked if he was surprised at the sudden and numerous allegations connected to someone associated with the hospital for so long, Hudson couldn’t say much.
“Yes, it surprises me,” he said. “But I have to point out, and this sounds a little bit cold, but I have to tell you that there is still an ongoing criminal investigation. And so that we don’t compromise that investigation there are things we just cannot say.”
As part of that investigation all of Bradley’s patient medical records have been seized and stored at Beebe Medical Center.
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