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A palliative care doctor from St. Petersburg, Florida, faces serious charges related to child exploitation that resulted in the death of a young girl. Federal prosecutors announced that 59-year-old Dr. Stephen Andrew Leedy was indicted on three counts of producing child sexual abuse material and two counts of coercing or enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Leedy allegedly used the username "maximumuncle#9112" to exploit approximately ten minors online. He reportedly instructed them to create explicit images and perform harmful acts, including cutting and choking themselves.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, Leedy never revealed his identity to the young girls and kept his screen off while speaking to them in video chats.
Tragically, in November 2021, a 13-year-old girl died by suicide, following instructions Leedy allegedly provided.
Leedy, who worked at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, maintained a clean medical license, according to The Daily Mail. His wife, Lynda, a senior executive in Pinellas County, expressed shock at the charges. She was not aware of her husband's alleged crimes.
If convicted, Leedy could face life in federal prison.