Florida doctor Stephen Andrew Reedy, 59, faces federal charges for coercing children into sexual acts online and allegedly aiding a 13-year-old girl’s suicide. Prosecutors claim he instructed her to make abusive statements and self-harm during their conversations. Reedy, using the username maximumuncle#9112, is accused of exploiting at least 10 minors across the country. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment or the death penalty for producing child sexual abuse material. His wife, Linda, an executive in Pinellas County, expressed shock over the accusations, and her role in child welfare is not connected to Reedy’s alleged crimes. Reedy’s lawyers maintain his innocence.
A Florida palliative care doctor coerced children into having sex online and helped a 13-year-old girl hang herself, federal prosecutors said.
The charges against Dr. Stephen Andrew Reedy, 59, were announced Monday more than two years after the unidentified child’s suicide.
She hanged herself in front of her cell phone.
A subsequent search of the device uncovered conversations between the boy and Reedy, who prosecutors say instructed the girl to make child sexual abuse statements and strangle herself.
Reedy, who is said to have gone by the username maximumuncle#9112, is said to have encouraged other children to create explicit material.
In a review of court documents by DailyMail.com, most of which contain details too gruesome to be made public, authorities say Reedy encouraged the girl to engage in extreme sexual acts, while also encouraging her to self-harm. states.
Prosecutors said the doctor “clearly engaged in this predatory act against approximately 10 underage victims across the country.”
The Tampa Bay Times reported that Reedy spoke with the victims via video call, but kept the screen black and did not identify himself to the victims.
He holds a medical license from the Florida Department of Health.
Florida palliative care doctor Stephen Andrew Reedy was charged with coercing children to perform sex acts online and aiding the suicide of a 13-year-old girl.
Pictured is Reedy’s $1.1 million home in St. Petersburg, Florida. If convicted of the crimes charged, he faces life in prison
But Reedy could face the death penalty if convicted of three counts of producing child sexual abuse material and two counts of coercing or enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. There is sex.
The doctor lives in a $1.1 million home a few blocks from the beach in St. Petersburg with his wife, Linda, who holds a senior executive position in Pinellas County.
She was said to be “shocked” by the news of her husband’s arrest.
“Everything that Reedy instructed his minor victims to do was physically or emotionally harmful to the minor victims,” prosecutors wrote.
“He took advantage of children more than half his age to gratify himself with no regard for their safety.”
Linda has served as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Pinellas County Youth Welfare Commission for the past 10 years.
Her husband’s arrest came as a “complete shock” to her, according to a statement released Tuesday morning by Pinellas County.
Reedy, pictured here with his wife Linda, will be found guilty of three counts of producing child sexual abuse material and two counts of coercing or enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. , could die in prison.
Reedy’s wife, Linda (pictured), holds a senior position in Pinellas County, but there is no suggestion that she knew of her husband’s alleged crimes.
Pinellas County CEO Beth Horton said she was “stunned and saddened” by Linda’s death and had the “utmost confidence” that Linda could continue in her role. He said that
Horton said Linda did not work with children and was required to undergo a rigorous background check before being hired, further stressing that Linda had no knowledge of her husband’s alleged crimes.
“We ask for grace, empathy and privacy for Ms. Reedy and her family during this difficult time,” the statement concluded.
Reedy was considered an authoritative voice on palliative care, which aims to help terminally ill patients spend their final weeks or months comfortably.
He spoke on the topic at conferences and traveled to Lancaster University in the UK to share his expertise with other doctors and medical students.
“Our client, Stephen Reedy, categorically denies the charges brought against him in federal court,” Reedy’s lawyers Bjorn Brunwand and Lucas Fleming said in a statement to DailyMail.com. “There is,” he said.
“In moments like this, when someone is accused of very vexing charges, it is especially important that we grant him the presumption of innocence.
“We look forward to entering a not guilty plea at the earliest opportunity and vigorously defending Dr. Reedy in court.”
