California Pediatrician Sent Pornographic Images, Tried To Have Sex With Minor Girl, Police Say

A pediatrician was arrested last week in California for allegedly sending pornographic images to an underage girl and trying to have sex with her.

Redwood City Police said Dr. Dylan O'Connor, 33, has been charged with one count each of sending harmful material to a juvenile and traveling to meet a minor for lewd purposes. O'Connor was working at Stanford's Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and was arrested on Feb. 5 in a sting operation, San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Police said O'Connor was under their radar after receiving a tip about unlawful activity, possibly involving a sex crime against a juvenile, from the San Jose Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children Unit. The department monitors the illegal exchange of electronic images and activity involving minors.

Investigators found that O'Connor had sent personal photographs of pornographic nature to the minor. The investigation revealed that "an adult male was attempting to lure a self-declared underage female to a designated location with the intent to engage in sexual activity with her," Redwood City Police said in a statement.

Police arrested the doctor when he arrived at 1800 block of El Camino Real expecting to meet the girl.

They later seized some electronic devices from his home. Police were investigating to find out whether there were any other victims. They urged anyone with information to come forward and contact Detective Sergeant Nick Perna at (650) 780-7672.

Following the arrest, the hospital placed him on unpaid administrative leave. "These are serious criminal charges, which we understand are still under investigation by law enforcement, so we are unable to comment further at this time," a spokeswoman for the hospital said.

Last month, a Florida pediatrician was arrested after he sent his nude pictures to a minor. Police said Michael Mizrachy of Parkland also had a video of an adult male sexually assaulting a child between the ages of 8 and 10. The investigators found him in possession of photos of children in their bathing suits, underwear or shorts, unaware of being photographed.