Law firm says possible victims of La Center pediatrician accused of abuse have come forward
May 5-Several people have contacted a Seattle law firm alleging they were sexually abused by a Clark County pediatrician who was under criminal investigation for child molestation before he died from apparent suicide.
Dr. Michael R. Wilmington, 61, of La Center was found dead Saturday along a Lewis County highway, a day after a Clark County judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
A personal-injury attorney said the physician's death will not halt the firm's pursuit of accountability for the medical institutions that employed him.
"Even when an individual can no longer be prosecuted, there are important questions about what the institutions who employed him knew, how concerns were handled and whether these institutions failed to protect victims at their most vulnerable," Mallory Allen of Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC said in a news release.
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The National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 by calling 800-656-HOPE (4673) or texting 64673. There is also an online chat at rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/.
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Allen said several people connected to Wilmington's practice have contacted the law firm.
"This is often the moment when other survivors begin to come forward," Allen said in the news release. "Given that Dr. Wilmington practiced as a pediatrician for many years and was a trusted member of the community, there may be dozens, if not hundreds, of victims."
Kaiser Permanente spokesperson Debbie Karman said the Vancouver Police Department's cybercrimes unit informed Kaiser of its investigation into Wilmington on April 30. She said Kaiser immediately terminated his employment, privileges and access to all facilities and systems.
"The allegations in this matter are serious, and our primary concern is for our patients, their families and our workforce," Karman told The Columbian. "We have arranged for Dr. Wilmington's patients to be cared for by other Kaiser Permanente physicians to ensure continuity of care and no disruption to ongoing treatment.
"We are reaching out to all current and former patients who have been under Dr. Wilmington's care, and encourage any patients or parents who need support or counseling-related needs to contact us at 877-226-1264," she said.
The Vancouver Police Department began investigating in February after receiving a cyber tip that child sex abuse material was uploaded to the communications app Discord. Detectives traced the data and IP address to 36-year-old Chad Hartley, court records show.
Police arrested Hartley on April 29 on suspicion of four counts of second-degree dealing in depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, four counts of second-degree possessing depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and one count of first-degree child molestation.
During Hartley's first appearance last week in Clark County Superior Court, prosecutors told the judge that Hartley was connected to Wilmington. They said authorities learned Wilmington had hosted naked sleepovers with young children at his La Center residence.
Detectives searched Wilmington's home April 30. Vancouver police said in a news release that the next day investigators received a tip that Wilmington molested a child at his home, prompting his arrest warrant.
By Saturday morning, Wilmington was found dead from apparent suicide.
Lewis County Sheriff's Office Special Services Chief Gabriel Frase told The Columbian multiple passersby reported Saturday morning spotting a body near state Highway 7 between the cities of Morton and Mineral. Frase declined to say whether deputies recovered a suicide note.
The Lewis County Sheriff's Office is investigating.
Clark County Superior Court records show prosecutors had filed a charge of first-degree child molestation against Wilmington.
Police had interviewed a young girl known to Wilmington and Hartley. She said the men were nude during sleepovers. She also described Wilmington inappropriately touching her while she sat on his lap in the nude and bathing with her, according to court records.
Hartley told investigators he met Wilmington in 2024 or 2025 at a nude bowling league, court records state.
Investigators said Wilmington's online biography stated he was a pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente Salmon Creek and affiliated with other Kaiser locations, as well as PeaceHealth and Legacy Health.
Court records show Hartley has Washington State Department of Health medical assistant certification and worked at a local PeaceHealth clinic.
PeaceHealth spokesperson Jim Murez confirmed the organization fired Hartley following his arrest and clarified Wilmington never worked for the provider.
"The safety and well-being of our patients is our highest priority, and we take these allegations extremely seriously. After being notified of the charges and arrest, Chad Hartley was immediately placed on leave and his employment has been terminated. We also immediately began a thorough review of his interactions with patients and will act quickly on any information identified that affects patient care."
Kaiser Permanente and PeaceHealth said they are cooperating with police and urge anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact local law enforcement.
Vancouver police ask anyone aware of a child who had unsupervised contact with Wilmington or Hartley to contact the department.
Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC also encourages anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact the law firm.
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