Pittsburgh Sex Abuse Lawyer Files Civil Lawsuit Against the Employer of Barto, the Pedophile

A civil lawsuit has been filed against the employers of Johnnie Barto, a pediatrician convicted of sexual abuse. The plaintiffs allege that his employers were aware he posed a serious threat to patients, yet allowed him to continue practicing without intervention.

Former Patients Seek Justice and Compensation

Five former patients of Barto are now seeking financial compensation from his employers. In March of this year, Barto was sentenced to a minimum of 79 years in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting 31 minors. The majority of his victims were children under his care.

The lawsuits name Laurel Pediatrics Associates as a defendant, alleging that the clinic had knowledge of Barto’s dangerous behavior for two decades. Despite this awareness, they permitted him to continue treating—and ultimately harming—young patients. The clinic has not issued any public comments regarding these allegations.

Hospital Named in Separate Claims

Four Jane Does and one John Doe have filed claims against Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, where Barto held medical privileges. In response, the hospital released a statement condemning Barto’s actions as reprehensible and distancing itself from any responsibility.

Advocates Push for Systemic Change

At a recent press conference, Pittsburgh criminal lawyer Sarah Klein stated, “We’re really just getting started.” Klein, a former Olympic gymnast and the first survivor to speak publicly about sexual abuse by former national team doctor Larry Nassar, emphasized the broader issue at hand. “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.”

Regulatory Failures Allowed Abuse to Continue

Perhaps most troubling is the fact that state authorities had an opportunity to stop Barto as early as 2000. Two young girls who were molested in 1999 came forward to the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine with their allegations. However, regulators dismissed the case, stating that the accusations were “incongruous to his reputation.” They allowed Barto to continue practicing medicine without further scrutiny.

As a well-known pediatrician in Johnstown and an elected member of the school board, Barto was highly respected in the community. This reputation made it difficult for many to believe he could be capable of such heinous acts.

Following the dismissal of the 1999 complaints, Barto reportedly felt “invincible,” according to statements he made to authorities after his arrest. He continued to molest at least a dozen more young patients until his arrest in January 2018.

Colleagues Allegedly Ignored Warning Signs

The civil lawsuit alleges that Barto’s colleagues were “on notice that Barto presented an unreasonably high risk of harm to his minor patients.” Despite this knowledge, they allegedly remained silent and failed to take any protective action. The suit claims they responded with “acquiescence, denial, and misrepresentation” rather than safeguarding vulnerable children.

Two health providers who allegedly minimized allegations against Barto continue to work at Laurel Pediatrics: pediatrician Dr. Elaine Confer and nurse practitioner Bradley Callihan.

Specific Incidents Detailed in Lawsuit

October 2016 Incident

In October 2016, Barto examined a 10-year-old boy and his 8-year-old sister at Laurel Pediatrics. After the appointment, the children’s mother confronted Dr. Confer, the family’s regular pediatrician. According to the lawsuit, Confer “confirmed that she had been informed previously about Barto’s inappropriate conduct with children.” She reportedly promised to address his “odd bedside manner” with him again. However, no such conversation appears to have taken place, and a Pittsburgh DUI lawyer familiar with similar cases notes that this type of inaction is unfortunately common in institutional abuse scenarios.

Earlier Case Involving a Teenage Patient

Nearly a decade before his arrest, Barto examined a 16-year-old girl in the presence of Callihan and an unidentified office manager. The patient later accused Barto of performing unnecessary genital and breast examinations. According to the lawsuit, both Callihan and the office manager defended Barto’s actions, claiming he was simply being “thorough.” They reportedly suggested that if a medical issue had been discovered, the patient and her parents would not have accused him of misconduct.

Legal Representation and Next Steps

Victims and their families are working with experienced legal professionals, including a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer, to hold the institutions accountable. Legal experts specializing in cases of institutional negligence—including those who work as a Pittsburgh DUI lawyer on related matters—emphasize the importance of systemic accountability in preventing future abuse.

The civil lawsuits are moving forward, and advocates hope they will lead to meaningful changes in how medical institutions handle allegations of misconduct. As Sarah Klein stated, the fight for safer healthcare environments for children is just beginning. free consultation call us at 412-387-6901.