Lawsuit Filed Against Employer of Pedophile Doctor in New Castle

Civil Case Against Barto’s Employers

A civil lawsuit has been filed against the employers of Johnnie Barto, a pediatrician convicted of being a pedophile. The suit alleges that the employers were aware he posed a threat to patients but continued to let him practice medicine at their facility without questioning his conduct.

Five of Barto’s former patients are now seeking financial damages from his employers. In March, Barto was sentenced to a minimum of 79 years in prison for the sexual assault of 31 minors, many of whom were his patients.

The legal action brings forward claims against Laurel Pediatrics Associates, stating they knew for two decades that Barto’s behavior was a significant danger to his patients. Despite this knowledge, the lawsuit asserts they allowed him to continue treating and molesting children. The clinic has not provided any comments on the matter. A competent New Castle criminal lawyer can help navigate such complex cases involving employer negligence.

Seeking Compensation

• Plaintiffs: Four individuals identified as Jane Does and one as John Doe are pursuing compensation from Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, where Barto held practicing privileges.
• Hospital’s Statement: In a released statement, the hospital described Barto’s actions as “reprehensible” and claimed they had no involvement.

During a press conference, New Castle criminal lawyer Sarah Klein, who represents the victims, stated, “We’re really just getting started.” Klein, a former Olympic gymnast and the first survivor to publicly speak out about the sexual abuse by former national team doctor Larry Nassar, added, “There’s a massive problem in the medical community here and in other places, and we’re going to insist on change that makes children safe.” Understanding your rights is crucial, and consulting with a legal expert like a New Castle DUI lawyer can provide clarity on legal processes, even in unrelated fields.

A History of Missed Opportunities

Astonishingly, state authorities had a chance to stop Barto in 2000 but failed to do so. Two young girls who had been molested in 1999 reported the abuse to the Ohio Board of Medicine. However, regulators dismissed the case, claiming the allegations were “incongruous to his reputation,” and permitted him to continue practicing medicine.

As a well-regarded pediatrician in New Castle and an elected school board member, Barto was highly respected, which made it difficult for people to believe the accusations against him.

Following this dismissal, Barto later told authorities after his arrest that he felt “invincible,” which emboldened him to continue molesting dozens more young patients until he was finally arrested in January 2018.

Allegations of Complicity

The civil lawsuit alleges that Barto’s colleagues were “on notice that Barto presented an unreasonably high risk of harm to his minor patients, and yet through silence, acquiescence, denial, and misrepresentation they failed to act in any way to protect Barto’s minor patients.” This highlights the importance of holding accountable not just the perpetrator but also those who enable them, a principle a skilled New Castle DUI lawyer would strongly advocate for.

Two other healthcare providers who allegedly downplayed the accusations against Barto, pediatrician Dr. Elaine Confer and nurse practitioner Bradley Callihan, are reportedly still employed at Laurel Pediatrics.

Specific Incidents Detailed in the Lawsuit

• October 2016 Incident: The lawsuit describes an event where Barto molested a 10-year-old boy and his 8-year-old sister at the Laurel clinic. After the incident, the children’s mother confronted Dr. Confer, their regular pediatrician. The suit claims Confer “confirmed that she had been informed previously about Barto’s inappropriate conduct with children” and promised “they would speak with him again about his ‘odd bedside manner.'” However, the lawsuit alleges Confer took no further action. When facing such dismissive attitudes, it is vital to have a strong legal advocate, such as a dedicated New Castle criminal lawyer, who will fight for your case to be heard.
• Decade-Old Incident: Nearly a decade ago, Barto examined a 16-year-old girl alongside Callihan and an unidentified office manager. Barto was accused of performing unnecessary breast and genital exams. According to the lawsuit, Callihan and the office manager defended Barto’s actions as being “thorough.” They suggested that if a lump had been found, the patient and her parents would not have made accusations of molestation. For expert legal guidance, call New Castle DUI lawyer at (330) 992-3036.