University of Michigan officials weren't required by law to report child porn to state
University of Michigan officials weren’t required by law to contact Children’s Protective Services after a resident physician found child porn last May on a thumb drive at U-M Hospital, state officials said.
Recently unsealed court records show that university officials waited six months before filing a report with university police after the image was found. Another resident physician was charged in the case.
Jenson
Under the Michigan Child Protection Law, mandatory reporters such as physicians must make an immediate verbal report to CPS and a written report within 72 hours after suspecting child abuse or neglect, the state Department of Human Services website says. Anyone who violates that law can be charged with a misdemeanor and face up to 93 days in jail, if convicted.
However, this case didn't meet the threshold for mandatory reporting because there's no indication university officials identified the victim in the photograph, DHS spokesman Dave Akerly said. He said CPS is not involved.
Court records say the photo shows a “nude adult lying” on a young child whose arms "were bound" and appeared to be tied to a bed frame.
“In order for a mandated reporter to report the abuse or neglect of a child, they have to identify a victim and we don’t have that here,” Akerly said. “You have to have an identified child to protect for it to fall under Children's Protective Services."
Stephen Jenson, 36, who was a fourth-year resident physician at the hospital, is charged in the case with four counts of possessing child sexually abusive material. He was employed at the hospital until late December. Police said they have no evidence that he had any inappropriate contact with patients. Investigators said they found child porn images on a thumb drive they seized when they executed a search warrant on Dec. 2 at his Pittsfield Township home.
The university acknowledged Friday that the case wasn't handled properly and said President Mary Sue Coleman asked for an internal review after learning of the delay.
Records say that on May 23, a resident physician was completing her shift at the hospital in a locked lounge where residents work in the Pediatric Emergency Department. A thumb drive had been left in the computer she was using and she saw the image as she was reviewing files on the drive, seeking to identify its owner, records say. She spoke to her supervisors and met with hospital security officials and the Office of the General Counsel about the case, court documents show. The case wasn't reported to police until Nov. 21 after police said a hospital security official came forward.
University police spokeswoman Diane Brown said the criminal investigation continues and she can't discuss specifics, including whether police have since identified children in the images.
Jenson is scheduled to return to court Feb. 16 for a preliminary hearing.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
genetracy
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 10:15 p.m.
It is 3:00 AM. I am at the light at Pakard and Platt. I look over see a male violently assualting a female on the sidewalk. I do not recognize the female therefore I do not call 911 because afterall, I do not know who the victim is. Sound moronic? Well, that is how the university handled this incident.
15crown00
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:49 p.m.
Joe Pa wasn't required by Pennsylvania law to report what he knew tom anybody other than those he reported it to BUT he admitted that if he had it to do all over again he would have handled it differently.It's called doing the right thing and the right thing is the right thing whether it's Joe Pa,me, you, U of M ,or anybody or anything else. What they did was attempt to cover it up and that is Just Plain WRONG.
BhavanaJagat
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:19 p.m.
The Problem of Human Behavior : I can easily understand the problem of human behavior that is associated with viewing pornographic images using computers and internet service or devices like a flashdrive. The problem is, this behavior has become very common. There are laws that specifically apply to child pornography and those laws do not deter people from viewing pornographic images and contents. We live in an environment where techonology acts as an external influence to modify human behavior. Apparently, we have introduced technology without preparing people to use technology with a sense of internal restraint. Ultimately, we have to provide tools and training to people to use technology using internal influence to checkmate external temptation. Rules, regulations, and policies must be based upon scientific understanding of human nature and behavior. To protect human dignity, human freedom, and human values, humans must control their own behavior.
JustMyOpinion
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.
President Coleman better be asking for resignations or we need to be asking for hers. Unacceptable on every conceivable level.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:01 p.m.
This is a bizarre smoke screen and twisting of reality. while "identifying a victim" may be the threshold to report abuse to child protective services IT IS NOT THE THRESHOLD to report child pornography to the FBI. ITS A FEDERAL CRIME to possess child pornography, and the ability to identify the victim is not relevant. So just because some threshold to report to CPS wasn't met doesn't mean a Federal crime wasn't being committed and should have been reported. I'm no lawyer despite playing one on the Internet at the moment. So a legal expert can set me straight.
sHa
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:15 p.m.
Craig, you hit the nail on the head. If we can "get it" as lay people, it's amazing that their Office of General Counsel could not.
A2comments
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:20 p.m.
I would like to see a federal law that requires all states to ensure that all organizations, including colleges and universities report all crimes to state and federal agencies within 24 - 48 hours. There should be no exemptions for ANY crimes. The general counsel needs to be FIRED. Not allowed to resign. FIRED with cause.
citizen kane
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 11:34 a.m.
"weren't required by law to report child porn" Were they required by ETHICS, MORAL LAW OR COMMON SENSE to report this???????????? When is someone going to start protecting the children????????????
HowDareYou
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 8:05 a.m.
Accountability 101: Pescovitz needs to go! If there is a lesson to be learnt from the Penn State scandal it is about the culture of university administrators. Sandusky, if allegations are true, is evil; evil always existed and will continue to exist. Patterno disappointed himself and especially those who thought that a great coach must be a great human being. But the string of university officials, those who are paid the fattest salaries around, whose entire justification for existence is to run the system properly. NO! THEY ARE A BUNCH OF COVERUPS WHO WILL DO ANYTHING TO KEEP AND PROTECT THEIR JOBS. Many in Ann Arbor were naïve to think - it's Penn's problem; here it can't happen. And here it is; the system collapsed and no one is even considering to hold herself accountable! Someone, for God's sake, create the facebook page - Pescovitz has to go.
EBL
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 5 a.m.
I can't believe anyone could say this with a straight face. So it's Ok not to report the crime if you don't know who the victim is? Right.
Tru2Blu76
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 5 a.m.
Can't blame anyone for not being an expert in every law. But it's always a good idea to avoid generalities: like comparing the Penn State situation with this one. The initial report was made within 24 hrs., earlier than the mandated 72. And the first evidence: did not show the accused as a participant in abuse, but as a "consumer" of illicit images portraying abuse - of an unidentified (and likely unidentifiable) child victim. Also: there was no need to "give chase" with immediate police action. The accused apparently was unaware that the thumb drive he recovered had been viewed by anyone else. Also apparently, that thumb drive was "eventually" seized under a warrant. So, yes, we can hope an explanation for the May-November delay is brought forth. What isn't clear is: how long did it take hospital administrators to address this matter with Mr. / Dr. Jensen? Was there a determination made between them and him? President Coleman's role: ONCE she was made aware, it appears she acted within the law and prudently, if not nobly. Pres. Coleman is not going to face the fate of the Penn State president and others there. Nor should she: the incident here was significantly different and she was the one who "learned late" of it. A head or 2 may roll at UM Hospital, "new office space" may open up there, but President Coleman will probably be the one wielding the axe - given her well known toughness and abilities.
Sam Smith
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 11:44 a.m.
You can explain your first two paragraphs to the children in the porn pictures.
James Leroux
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:50 a.m.
This community sadly has uncovered 2 physicians/Pediatricians involved in this terrible criminal behavior in a very short period of time.... are they linked? Where some of the same pictures found on both physician's computers? Are authorities looking into that? Did these physician know each other? Did they have a professional relationship? Did they have common patients or referred to each other? Where did they get the pictures are who are they distributing to? Has the oldest physician ever been a mentor to the younger one? Are there others in this profession engaging in this behavior? Who else had knowledge of these pictures and why was this swept under the rug? The most paramount concern has to be for the child or children in these pictures. 6 months? the more time passes, more abuse and more victims there are. What were they thinking? Who is to protect children in institutions that are caring for them? I am a parent. I am very disturbed and haunted by this tragic description of the picture found on this memory stick. Hospital IT depts screen their computers system for illegal access to illegal material. I can only assume that this guy's use of a memory stick rather than accessing his own log in or email website to see the pictures was an attempt to conceal his identity and behavior. My guess is that he probably thought about it and probably did this several times...Isn't this a federal crime?Is the FBI envolved? I read somewhere that CPS was not envolved ... As painful as it is to read, it brings on the urgency of the need for the child to be identified, found saved and given a chance at recovery. Is there any proactive way to screen these physician criminal and prevent these tragic events? Is there a way to spot and uncover these sick individuals' behaviors through their professional credentialing and recredentialing or can they only be found out once they slip and offend? Very sad. No place for politics. Punishment must be as steep as the law dictates.
Joe Hood
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:52 a.m.
Likely, any USB keys inserted into computers are scanned. Likely only a virus scanner is incorporated here.
Haggis Chihuahua
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:26 a.m.
This is inexcusable. Mary Sue, you and the Board of Regents got some 'splainin' to do. Seems to me it's time for changes. Serious changes.
mohomed
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:14 a.m.
Interesting that a sculpture just across the street of the Hospital (off of Glen Ave) is a Naked man, woman, and young boy child. The father is holding the boy close to private region. This statue is a little disturbing for a society that wears clothes. Why a Greek nude with naked boy and man together. The only statue like this I believe on campus is found on Health System grounds.
justcurious
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:58 a.m.
The Vice President and Office of General Counsel should be held responsible here. That would be this person: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suellyn_Scarnecchia" rel='nofollow'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suellyn_Scarnecchia</a>
Vette96drvr
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:49 a.m.
Sounds to me like there is some bureaocratic splitting of hairs going on in an attempt to cover ones backside. Right is right, wrong is wrong. Are there gray areas in a situation like this??? NO, there are not. The victim may not have been identified but the perp was, it should have been reported PERIOD. Someone needs to lose their job over this!
justcurious
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:51 a.m.
Like a Vice President General Counsel?
Ron Granger
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 11:35 p.m.
Where is the University's "Honor Code" in this? Does it mean anything at all? Or does that just apply to students? Have their been any other compelling incidents that the university has chosen to keep secret because it isn't a crime to keep them secret? An outside agency, unconnected with the University, needs to review this matter. The University cannot be trusted to investigate itself. And we get it - they think they carefully skirted actually violating the law in what looks like a "cover-up". This investigation should be about who knew what, and when. It seems that heads need to roll, even if no crimes were committed. If someone reasonably believes someone has child porn, wouldn't conversation about keeping it quiet be conspiracy to aid and abet? Or something similar?
Ricardo Queso
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 10:48 p.m.
Like PSU I cannot understand an individual not reporting what they had seen immediately. Going home and reporting it the next day? How could you sleep?
moretothestory
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 10:42 p.m.
This is absolutely pitiful. My heart feels like it is reaking for those poor children whose pictures are out on the internet for perverts to "enjoy." My God, 6 months heads up is a lot of time to track down the perverts taking these pictures. What is wrong with this world?
UtrespassM
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.
Was O' Dell blamed not doing a good job because the police found the thumb drive which the administrators did not want to see? Things like this did happen before! An internal investigator at the university was blamed a couple years ago, because the professor she questioned admitted doing something improperly during the interview.
pugnacious
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 10:01 p.m.
Penn state and U of M suffer mysterious deaths of legal officials in conjunction with child sex/porn scandals. I challenge the AA.com to look in to that.
pugnacious
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:59 p.m.
If former U of M police chief were still alive, we would know more.
Cheryl
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:50 p.m.
This is the problem with 'BIG'...big hospitals, big universities, big religion...you name it...problems get filed away, nobody is held accountable, common sense eludes the wisest and right & wrong suddenly require a team of attorneys (not doctors, administrators or clergy) to determine AFTER the fact what should have been done. If this were a village of 20, 200 or even 2000 I assure you this would not be the case. And the worst thing about this story, Penn State, the Catholic Church (and the other stories yet to be told)? That our children...our precious, innocent children who are the resources of our future are ALWAYS the victims.
trespass
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:40 p.m.
If you want real reform at UM elect new regents. <a href="http://www.professorkauffmanforregent.com" rel='nofollow'>www.professorkauffmanforregent.com</a>
David Cahill
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:40 p.m.
While perhaps there is no requirement on the "civil side" of the law to notify Child Protective Services, what about the duty of UM employees to report a *crime* to DPS?
Mick52
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 7:40 a.m.
Oops, I meant no legal requirement to report a crime other than when statutes like the child abuse statute mentioned in the story apply. I do promote better reporting, including not filing a report because a victim says they do not want to prosecute. Otherwise, how do you know what your crime rates are?
Mick52
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 7:37 a.m.
There are provisions in the Standard Practice guide on crime reporting but it is somewhat vague (and not easy to find). There is no legal requirement to report a crime. An attorney's office has no duty to report crimes to the police. Alas Average Joe may be correct. When allegations arose that certain NCAA violations were being reported during the Fab Five era, who did the investigation? An attorney's office hired to look into the allegations. They didn't find anything but minor infractions. The thinking however is difficult to understand. When the issue is illegal behavior by an employee it is far easier to handle it properly. On the other hand, you are taking a huge risk and exposing yourself to possible liability if for example the perp goes out and does commit a child sexual assault. When the word gets out that the employer knew and did nothing....ka ching. Also, when a lot of people know about something, the chances are the word is going to get out sooner or later. Those people all have a chit in their pocket and you better be sure they remain very happy employees.
average joe
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 10:05 p.m.
Trespass- Those attorneys are being paid to protect the image of U/M, not abide by the law.
trespass
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.
What about an attorney's duty as an officer of the court to report a crime to police?
Doug
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:30 p.m.
It must have been defense lawyers in the legislature that wrote that law. But, who signed it?
trespass
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:28 p.m.
A sexual assault of a patient at Mott's Children's Hospital, Sept. 2011 <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/teenager-charged-with-sexually-assaulting-hospital-patient-held-on-200000-bond/">http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/teenager-charged-with-sexually-assaulting-hospital-patient-held-on-200000-bond/</a> UM biology professor charged with possession of child porn, Sept 2011 <a href="http://annarbor.com/news/crime/former-u-m-professor-facing-child-porn-charges-remains-a-fugitive/">http://annarbor.com/news/crime/former-u-m-professor-facing-child-porn-charges-remains-a-fugitive/</a> UM students signing up on a website looking for sugar daddies, January 2012 <a href="http://annarbor.com/news/u-m-emu-students-among-those-signing-up-to-be-sugar-babies-on-dating-website/">http://annarbor.com/news/u-m-emu-students-among-those-signing-up-to-be-sugar-babies-on-dating-website/</a> UM Law student and professor arrested for prostitution. Law student a fellow in AA city attorney's office <a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2008/12/university_of_michigan_profess_2.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2008/12/university_of_michigan_profess_2.html</a> What is the University of Michigan, a modern day Sodom and Gamorrah?
godhelpus15
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:43 p.m.
don't forget the janitor that was listed in the freep.com article about belonging to a human trafficking ring! i'll try and find the link. the story was posted on Sunday I believe.
Mick52
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 7:25 a.m.
Maybe they should have a police officer on every corner? More cameras to watch people's every move? Someone reviewing what every UM affiliate looks at online? Would that fix this?
Cash
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
WDIV Channel 4 has it now. Coming at 5PM.
pbehjatnia
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:10 p.m.
The only right course was to report the child porn to the State Police and FBI. Report it. But, no, typical doctors - they covered it up and ignored it for as long as possible. Anything not to harm a colleague. Shame on all of them. I hope that every single one involved who knew and therefore had the opportunity to report the child porn loses their job. I really do.
trespass
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.
Chief Greg O'dell resigned on November 30, 2011. This crime was reported to police on November 21, 2011. Did he leave in protest that the administration wanted to interfere with his investigation of the delay in reporting?
Cash
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:19 p.m.
I would not be surprised if he just couldn't stomach it. Maybe the pure evil just became more than he could bear.
UtrespassM
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:07 p.m.
"No evidence that he had any inappropriate contact with patients." What was this doctor thinking when he examed children in UM clinic eveyday? All the kids who were examed by this guy are victims of the crim of child porn. The delay of the investigation by the university have made more kids abused.
justcurious
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:04 p.m.
"However, this case didn't meet the threshold for mandatory reporting because there's no indication university officials identified the victim in the photograph, DHS spokesman Dave Akerly said. He said CPS is not involved." "In order for a mandated reporter to report the abuse or neglect of a child, they have to identify a victim and we don't have that here," Akerly said. "You have to have an identified child to protect for it to fall under Children's Protective Services." ...and the U of M and the DPS certainly weren't going to dirty their hands by suggesting that anyone do an investigation of who that child might have been in the picture. "Sorry, don't know her. It wouldn't be right to ask Dr. Jenson about it."
djm12652
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 10:02 p.m.
so unidentified children from other locations is acceptable? plain crazy...and sick...
Basic Bob
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:04 p.m.
"They have to identify the victim" I guess that makes sense, in the case of an undercover adult police officer masquerading as a 14-year-old girl. But in this case, it doesn't.
gofigure
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:56 p.m.
Do as I say...not as I do.
Sam Smith
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:47 p.m.
The resident who found this reportedly found a document with Jenson's name on it yet Jenson was allowed to keep working as a pediatrician? And the U of M doesn't have to report it? Well, so much for the new Mott and the U of M! This speaks volumes about their priorities! So much for patients and families first!
paul wiener
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:43 p.m.
What??????? Did I read this correctly? Not to worry: I've already removed every removeable comment I would like to make about this incident and the politics involved.
Roadman
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
These set of facts indicate a palpable absence of leadership in the Office of President, Office of General Counsel, and internal security personnel and deserve the strictist investigative scrutiny. An independent blue-ribbon committee needs to be impaneled to determine where fault lies in this fiasco. It is irrelevant if legal duties may or not have been violated by certain personnel. Those who may hay have abused their discretion at the University should be held accountable internally due to poor job performance. The public should demand accountability in this matter.
justcurious
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:47 a.m.
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suellyn_Scarnecchia" rel='nofollow'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suellyn_Scarnecchia</a>
Basic Bob
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:06 p.m.
An appropriate response would be to fire and jail the person who buried it. Goodbye pension, too.
Cash
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:25 p.m.
"However, this case didn't meet the threshold for mandatory reporting because there's no indication university officials identified the victim in the photograph, DHS spokesman Dave Akerly said." Okay this article just raised my blood pressure 10 points more than yesterday's article did. I do NOT want to hear that the supposedly premier university in this state isn't responsible in ANY way for not reporting this crime. I want to hear that the supposedly premier university in this state DID THE RIGHT THING. Now grow up administrators and admit your complete and total failure and apologize to all involved.
CincoDeMayo
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 11:51 a.m.
Well said.
Roadman
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:21 a.m.
Exactly. What if the delay caused further abuse of the child in the photo because no police investigation was promptly commenced due to lack of the officials having custody of this photographic evidence turning it over to law enforcement who has the tools to better ascertain such information?
Cash
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.
Tesla....Maybe there was some foot dragging???? You see a child being abused/raped/ etc and there's some FOOT DRAGGING? Oh please.
Tesla
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.
Again. What part of them reporting it to the police didn't you read? The guy got busted on Dec. 2nd 2011 and was fired by the University. The fact that it took six months has a lot to do with the fact that this was hear say and they had no evidence, and I would bet it didn't take six months at all and the police were investigating as U of M officials were. Maybe there was some foot dragging.....but the guys busted and the University did indeed report this to the authorities.
Justavoice
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:19 p.m.
So this makes one wonder why this case is different if federal law requires immediate reporting in the event of discovery of child pornography to law enforcement. One wonders if the Feds shouldn't take a closer look at this case to determne if federal law was violated by University officials.
justcurious
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:56 p.m.
The Feds refer you to The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to make a report and really seem to defer to State law. At least that was my take on it.
julieswhimsies
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:18 p.m.
Well, shiver me timbers...U of M lawbreakers get away with it once again. Protect the reputation of the U of M predators....just let it slide. Let "lesser" institutions take the hit. Build a big, bright, shiny new hospital, which makes them look good in the press, for the children, where the PATIENTS are not safe from predators. Follow procedure to the letter and don't report a pedophile to the police. When are you going to do the right thing, U of M. When? This is now out there in the virtual world. The bloggers fingers are clacking away, as we speak. As for me. I am making my own point by refusing to be seen at the U of M Hospital. You are all culpable.
average joe
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 10 p.m.
Tesla- as tresspass points out-It is the police who are the ones who investigate a suspected crime such as this. The university should only investigate 'policy violations'.
trespass
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:05 p.m.
Tesla- It is the police's responsibility to investigate not the UM administration. They are much better equipped and trained for forensic examinations. They knew there was a crime even if they had not yet proven who was guilty. Let the police decide if they have evidence as to who committed the crime.
Tesla
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:31 p.m.
Thats what is reported but my guess is investigations were underway. Remember. They had no physical evidence, they had to identify the perp and had to be sure of what they were doing. These are sensitive investigations and the timing while on it's face seems lengthy....may be appropriate.
julieswhimsies
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.
SIX months after the fact!
Tesla
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:22 p.m.
They reported it to the police. Thats how the guy got busted.
Tesla
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.
In the universities defense they did contact and file a complaint with the police....although they waited six months.
trespass
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:01 p.m.
That's a defense?
CincoDeMayo
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
I don't think anybody cares about what is "required" (in the short term) - we just want it to get reported ASAP and know that something is going to be done about it!!
A2comments
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.
Someone needs to be fired.
roll tide
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 10:21 p.m.
Several people need to be fired!
Linda Peck
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:02 p.m.
Let me add my opinion here and say that the response by the University of Michigan to the initial reporting of the horrific crime is itself horrific! It is an indication of how far moral standards have fallen in this country!
Goober
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 7:59 p.m.
Shame, shame, shame! Just like Penn State. It seems that colleges and universities believe they are beyond good sense and general business ethics. Someone should be fired at UofM over this decision.
average joe
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 7:58 p.m.
"University of Michigan officials weren't required by law to contact Children's Protective Services after a resident physician found child porn last May on a thumb drive at U-M Hospital, state officials said." That sounds similar to the PSU defense. "...this case didn't meet the threshold for mandatory reporting because there's no indication university officials identified the victim in the photograph, DHS spokesman Dave Akerly said." Identified or not, there was (& is) still a victim here. Let's stop hiding behind a law, and work to change that law. And this place takes care of children.....
justcurious
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:49 p.m.
Maybe DHS needs investigating as well.
shutthefrtdoor
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 7:51 p.m.
IF...and I mean IF...this is true, then the law should be amended to require this abomination to be reported. Child porn is a crime right? Why wouldn't it be reported???????
Joe Hood
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 7:48 p.m.
Seems like this warrants an external investigation team.
jtwilkins
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 7:48 p.m.
This is classic UM tactics. Dealing with anyone there is like they have a lawyer sitting next to them every phone call. The appropriate licensing ethic committees should put a nice note in these medical "professionals" recored. Who could be a part of this, not report it and live with themselves.
RuralMom
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 7:45 p.m.
What went wrong is it was easier to momentarily sweep it under the rug! THIS IS DISGUSTING, the description alone makes me nauseous. Regulating common sense appears to be very necessary apparently cannot just do the right thing by its patients on its own. SHAME ON YOU! I couldn't work one day in the same vicinity of the accused, I would be in jail myself!
Sarcastic1
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 7:32 p.m.
It appears that the resident physician did the right thing by reporting the incident; hospital security supervision and management did not. They allowed the physician to continue to see patients, some children I would guess, while knowing he had issues. That puts patients and children at risk. Time for a eadership change at the hospital for sure.
godhelpus15
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:39 p.m.
exactly why wasn't he in the least suspended pending the investigation? sorry but if this was a staff member or janitor they would have been removed in cuffs and still sitting in jail. the culture that has been created here is faculy first and always, staff - well we really don't give a hoot about you because you can be replaced. dr. so and so adds to our prestige so it's okay for him to do whatever he wants. sick. i am so disgusted with the leadership of UM right now.
SuperiorMother
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 7:32 p.m.
An email sent from Dr. Pescovitz to UMHS faculty and staff this afternoon said, " ... the University is engaged in a comprehensive review into what went wrong in this particular case. This review and taking appropriate action are top priorities for President Coleman, for me and for leadership across the Health System and the University. We will make improvements to prevent this from happening again." And AnnArbor.com, did you really have to include the graphic description of the image? I wish I could un-read that.
julieswhimsies
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.
I am a survivor of sexual violence from the age of 5 to 13. I am not alone. Pedophiles begin by viewing child porn. They escalate until they they touch a young child...then that turns into violence toward children and rape. I know that of which I speak.
godhelpus15
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:35 p.m.
as horrifying as it is, people need to understand how horrifying it is to live it. imagine losing your childhood to the monsters that believe this type of behavior is okay. maybe if more people had to hear about these types of crimes that happen by the minute, more would be done to prevent them or in the least severly punish those that do partake in such horrific acts. we need to elect officials and law makers that will actually create new laws protecting the victims. I'm sick and tired of the perps walking the streets because the laws aren't strict enough.
mtlaurel
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:53 p.m.
the Resident MD was in a sensitive position of learning to literally handle children during exams, emergencies and all forms of health care. Fitness for these skills includes the goal that his actions will help society/families and the pediatric patient attain their best level of functioning in the world. His actions and the health systems's knowledge of his actions need to have a consequence-not only due to the time lapse but the inherent nature of what his role was supposed to be as a person in training, and those responsible for his presence at the Hosp. A failure has occurred.The nature of the photos is important.
moretothestory
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 10:48 p.m.
Absolutely give a graphic description of the photo. It's a horrible needed wake-up that pictures are being taken of children. For all we know, your own kids are being abused and photographed by some so called "nice" neighbor.
Linda Peck
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
I see the point of the description. Thank you julieswhimsies and justcurious for the reasons to include it in the article.
justcurious
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:46 p.m.
I agree with Julieswhimsies totally. We all need to know how unbelievably repulsive the acts under this crime are. That is why we must all do everything in our power to make sure that these things don't get swept under the rug and that people do not get desensitized to them. That is what scares me most. With all of the sexual abuse and violence that is passed off in the name of entertainment, I can't see how whole generations are not being desensitized to it. The description in this article is just the very ugly truth.
julieswhimsies
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:26 p.m.
The photo's description made you nauseous? Good. I actually ran to the bathroom and vomited. But people NEED to know about the ugliness of these crimes. I've been there personally. You didn't like what you saw? Then help us do something about it. There are a lot of people who have been permanently traumatized by this horror.
Linda Peck
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 7:59 p.m.
I so feel the same way, SuperiorMother! I certainly do and I think it was unnecessary for the reporter to add that in, twice now in fact. It is an appalling event with appalling handling by UofM.
rs
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 7:25 p.m.
I bet President Coleman is asking for an internal review. I'm sure she remembers seeing the national headlines of the Penn State president being fired after that school didn't go to the authorities with abuse information.
moretothestory
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 10:44 p.m.
Who knows if anyone will follow through on a review. It's just sickening how much gets swept under the rug.
r treat
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 7:19 p.m.
So? What happened to "doing the right thing"?
Audion Man
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:27 p.m.
Doing the right thing is not legally required.
Kai Petainen
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:41 a.m.
Ora herself told people to do the right thing <a href="http://www.medicinethatspeaks.org/832/putting-patients-above-politics/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.medicinethatspeaks.org/832/putting-patients-above-politics/</a> "This isn't about politics. It's about patients. It's about medicine and science. It's about you, me, your colleagues, your neighbors and your families. And, ultimately, it's the reason we are here. Let's commit this year more than ever to show the nation why Michigan is leaders and best in health care, to create the future of health care through discovery and to leave a maize and blue mark on the history of health care innovation and improvement. And let's do it because we know that it is the right thing to do. We all have a voice and we all have a choice in how we use our voices"
treetowncartel
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 10:38 p.m.
Mookie is no longer in the building.