German prosecutors have charged a pediatrician with 130 counts of sexual abuse, including the rape of children—most of whom were under his care. The case has caused widespread shock and led clinics to strengthen their safety measures.
The 46-year-old doctor, whose name has not been released, has been in custody since November after a mother suspected her child had been assaulted and alerted the authorities. The doctor worked at clinics in the state of Brandenburg, which surrounds Berlin.
Announcing the charges this week, prosecutors said the alleged crimes took place between 2013 and 2025. They did not specify how many children are believed to have been abused.
“The accused is charged with offenses against sexual autonomy in a total of 130 cases. These include allegations of serious sexual abuse of children and rape,” the prosecutor’s office in the state capital, Potsdam, said in a statement on Wednesday.
The doctor is alleged to have committed most of the offenses “in the course of his professional duties” at clinics run by the Havelland healthcare group in the Brandenburg towns of Rathenow and Nauen.
“The accused remains in pre-trial detention,” the statement said, adding that the charges were filed on May 6. A regional court in Potsdam will decide whether to proceed to trial.
When the pediatrician was arrested, investigators seized data storage devices believed to contain relevant images.
According to Bild newspaper, the mother’s complaint came after her child was allegedly assaulted while being treated in the pediatric ward of Rathenow hospital.
After the case came to light in January, the Havelland Kliniken group said it was conducting an internal review with the help of experts. It had emerged that the “four-eyes protocol,” which requires two people to be present during a child’s examination, had not always been followed, the group said.
“These allegations undermine the trust of patients and their families,” said the group’s medical director, Mike Lehsnau.
After the charges were announced, the group released a second statement, saying it would “fully support” prosecutors and provide any relevant information. “Our sympathy goes out to all patients who may have been harmed, as well as to their families,” it said.
In France last May, a former surgeon, then aged 74, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after a three-month trial for the sexual abuse of hundreds of patients, most under the age of 15—the largest child abuse trial in the country’s history.
Joël Le Scouarnec worked as a digestive surgeon in public and private hospitals across Brittany and western France, often operating on children with appendicitis.
He was accused of 111 rapes and 189 sexual assaults between 1989 and 2014 at a dozen hospitals. Many of the children he assaulted were under anesthesia or waking up after surgery. Some were assaulted in their hospital beds. Their average age was 11.
The verdict added pressure on the French government to address failures in the health and justice systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the case of a pediatrician in Germany charged with 130 counts of sexual abuse
BeginnerLevel Questions
Q What exactly happened with this pediatrician in Germany
A A male pediatrician has been formally charged with 130 counts of sexual abuse The charges involve allegations of abusing young patients mostly girls over several years in his medical practice
Q How old were the children involved
A The alleged victims were very young with reports indicating many were between the ages of 5 and 10 and some as young as 2 years old
Q Where did this happen
A The doctor worked in a practice near Cologne Germany in a town called Much
Q Has the doctor been arrested
A Yes he was arrested in August 2024 and has been in custody since then He is awaiting trial
Q Why did it take so long for him to be charged
A The investigation was complex It began when a mother reported suspicious behavior Police then found a large amount of digital evidence including photos and videos on the doctors devices which led to the many charges
IntermediateLevel Questions
Q What are the specific charges
A He is charged with 130 counts of sexual abuse of children including 45 counts of serious sexual abuse He is also charged with possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material
Q How did the doctor allegedly abuse the children
A According to prosecutors he would abuse the children during medical examinations often while parents were in the waiting room He would use medical procedures as a cover for the abuse and secretly record the acts
Q How many victims are there
A Investigators believe there are at least 130 victims but the number could be higher They have identified most of them through the evidence found on his devices
Q What evidence did the police find
A Police seized computers phones and hard drives from his home and practice They found a large collection of child sexual abuse material including videos he allegedly made of his own patients during examinations
Q What is the potential punishment if he is convicted
