A palliative care doctor in Florida is now facing criminal charges after he allegedly coerced a girl to cut and hang herself on video chat and produced child sexual abuse material.
Stephen Andrew Leedy, 59, is accused of producing sexually explicit materials of about 10 children he met online. He was also accused of directing them to cut, choke, and hang themselves in a years-long spree.
The doctor used the username "maximumuncle#9112" in various online and video conversations and convinced the minors to self-harm while sending him lewd photos of themselves. In one case, a 13-year-old minor died, the Department of Justice said in a press release Monday.
What Happened to the 13-Year-Old Victim?
The victim, whose name was not publicly revealed, was found hanging in the bathroom with a dog leash around her neck in November 2021. She was hanging in front of her phone, consistent with instructions Leedy provided her through chat, the Justice Department noted.
Prior to her death, Leedy ordered the minor to use a blade to cut her breasts and stomach "for daddy."
"Go get the belt so we can start choking [you]," he allegedly said in a message, per Law & Crime, before asking: "Have [you] ever put the end of the belt over the top of your door, and then close the door?"
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The doctor was also accused of encouraging other victims to engage in "daily hanging."
Leedy has been practicing medicine since 1991 and specializes in palliative and hospice care, according to WFLA. However, he had never told any of his victims his profession or identity, only hiding behind a black screen during the online conversations.
The suspect is married to Lynda Leedy, the chief administrative officer of Pinellas County's Juvenile Welfare Board. The organization oversees children's mental health initiatives and early childhood public awareness campaigns, ABC Action News reported.
What Are the Charges Against Leedy?
Since his arrest, authorities have charged Leedy with three counts of production of child sexual abuse material and two counts of coercing or enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity.
If convicted of all counts, Leedy will face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
