Another Doctor Charged With Sexual Assault

[AnotherGreenWorld]

A Sebring area emergency room physician was arrested Wednesday following a two-month investigation into an alleged sexual battery of a 14-year-old girl.

Dr. Richard Gilbert Spindler, 70, of 1515 Booth Drive, Sebring, was arrested on two counts of promoting sexual performance by a child and one count each of sexual battery; lewd or lascivious battery; lewd or lascivious conduct; possession of child pornography; child abuse; and contributing to the dependency of a minor.

...

According to the Florida Department of Health online database, Spindler's license to practice medicine is valid through Jan. 31, 2009. He doesn't have a disciplinary record.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20070823/NEWS/708230599

[freeplessinseattle]

1. My long-time doc lost his license last year

for a slew of things, among them two sexual violations. One with a pregnant woman, who he raped-without a condom-by having her get on all fours on the exam table while he injected a "special treatment" that could of course only be done from behind. The other incident involved him taking Polaroids of a pre-pubescent child for some scientific reason he made up.

I'd have never guessed he was a predator, really shook me up.

[AnotherGreenWorld]

2. Jesus. That is repulsive. Did he get more than a slap on the wrist?

I know you said he lost his medical license, which is more than a lot of doctors get when they sexually assault their patients, but he really should be in jail for the rest of his life.

I think this is more common than a lot of people would want to think or admit. In the last years, I have lost my noble view of doctors. And now being critical of doctors myself, three of my closest friends have told me something I had never known, and probably never would have known if I had continued to defend the medical profession: that each had been sexually assaulted by a medical doctor.

One had been sexually assaulted when she was only eight years old. The doctor told her it was just part of the check-up, but even then she said she knew it wasn't. She said she knew what he did was wrong; but she was ashamed, and didn't tell anyone until years later. The doctor practiced medicine until retirement, probably sexually assaulting other vulnerable patients.

Her life was changed forever because of this asshole. But the doctor lived his life as if nothing happened. Absolutely disgusting.

Something must be done to prevent these sorts of things from happening. More severe penalties and zero tolerance would be a start.

But because these crimes often go unreported, because doctors often claim their sexual assault was just part of the exam, because in the rare event that the innocent victim does bring an action against a doctor, it's the respected word of a doctor vs. the word of a lowly commoner, often a child, I think something more must be done.

Dateline, as I recall, had a show about catching internet predators. It is sometimes claimed that things of that sort can change laws. Maybe Dateline needs to setup a sting operation in a doctor's office.

[AnotherGreenWorld]

3. Doctor Hanged Self in Jail, Officials Say

http://www.theledger.com/article/20070824/NEWS/708240401

SEBRING | A 70-year-old emergency room doctor accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl hanged himself in a Highlands County Jail cell early Thursday, said Stephen Nelson, chief medical examiner.

Detention deputies conducting a routine check found Dr. Richard Gilbert Spindler hanging by a bed sheet from the top bunk of a bed about 2 a.m., Highlands County Sheriff's deputies reported.

...

The investigation began after Sheriff Benton received a phone call about the alleged abuse.

"As in many cases such as this one, it appears the suspect may have (had) a history of this type of interaction with other young girls," Benton said.

[AnotherGreenWorld]

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