January 1, Pediatrician Charged For Decades of Horrific Crimes Against Patients

Warning: Graphic, disturbing content

A retired Boston-area pediatrician, Dr. Richard Kauff, has been charged with raping two children, sparking an investigation spanning several generations of former patients.

The accusations began when a woman, identified as Victim 2, asked a private Facebook group if it was “normal” for a doctor to insert their fingers in her vagina during a yearly checkup. Overwhelmingly, the response was that it was not the norm.

Another woman, Victim 1, realized she had experienced the same thing and believed it was a normal part of a routine pediatric physical exam. Both women had been patients of Dr. Kauff, who had treated children in the town of Norwell for 40 years.

By the time Kauff was arraigned, 20 more women and two girls had come forward to accuse him of sexual assault.

Plymouth County Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Beth Kusmin said in Hingham District Court that the number of allegations “has been growing exponentially” since Kauff was charged on Nov. 2 with raping Victims 1 and 2.

“We anticipate dozens more similar charges,” Kusmin added.

Kauff “adamantly denies the charges,” according to his lawyer, Kelli Lea Porges. The 68-year-old doctor is charged with 12 felony counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and four felony counts of rape of a child with force. He was released on $50,000 bail. If convicted, Kauff could spend the rest of his life in prison for the alleged crimes, which date from November 1991 to August 2004.

Victim 1 and Victim 2 had never spoken before connecting on the Facebook page identified as “South Shore Mamas.”

In separate interviews with police, both alleged the abuse started when they began seeing Kauff at ages 7 to 8 and continued until they left his practice around ages 18 and 19. Both claimed that Kauff would have them change into paper gowns, lie down on an examination table, and then count to three before he would insert his fingers into their vaginas.

“It’s like a rocket ship,” Kauff would say, according to the police report. Sometimes, Kauff did it while their parents were in the examination room, but his large frame blocked their view.

When detectives informed Kauff he was under investigation, he became “extremely upset” and stated that he had practiced medicine for over forty years without a single issue.

South Shore Medical Center said it was contacting patients and stands “ready to assist and cooperate with any investigation.”

After being charged, Kauff agreed to stop practicing medicine. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 11.

Why It Matters

The horrifying story of Dr. Richard Kauff, a pediatrician accused of sexually assaulting generations of patients, serves as a stark reminder that we must remain vigilant in protecting our children.

It’s easy to trust authority figures, but we cannot let our guard down. This story also highlights the importance of communication and the power of social media in bringing these heinous acts to light.

As parents, we must teach our children to speak up if anything feels uncomfortable or wrong during medical appointments. We must be present during checkups and ask questions. Let this be a call to action for all of us to be vigilant and proactive in ensuring the safety of our children.

As our loyal readers, we encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Let your voice be heard and join the discussion below.

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