Twin Brother Pediatricians on Trial for Child Sex Charges

[forensicpsy~]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1807828,Twin-brothers-pediatricians-trial-Ohio-100509.article#

"Twin Pediatricians Fight Child Sex Allegations"

AP Article

[forensicpsy~]

:thumbdown:http://www.wlwt.com/news/21205374/detail.html

"The trial of a Butler County pediatrician charged with sexual abuse and drug trafficking began Monday. Mark Blankenburg faces more than 50 charges in all."

"His twin brother is also charged and will be tried separately in April of 2010."

"WLWT.com has provided an archive of stories from the Blankenburg case below so you can catch up on the details of the case as the trial unfolds. "

[MiamiNice1]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1807828,Twin-brothers-pediatricians-trial-Ohio-100509.article#

"Twin Pediatricians Fight Child Sex Allegations"

AP Article
Oh, UGH! Can you imagine? In a town of only 50,000 - where they were probably known by so many people! How did they get away with this for over 20 years?!

I must leave, but will be back to read the second link with the history with details about the case.

imo

[veracruz]

I'd be interested in knowing about their personal lives.

Wonder if they have kids or if they were ever married?

YUCK!

[airportwoman]

Oh, UGH! Can you imagine? In a town of only 50,000 - where they were probably known by so many people! How did they get away with this for over 20 years?!

I must leave, but will be back to read the second link with the history with details about the case.

imo

Probably for the same reason the dentist my parents made me go to as a child was able to get away with it for so many years; no, he did not molest me but he was extremely sadistic.

They probably had a sixth sense for children who could not or would not tell their parents, or who had parents who were like mine and weren't going to do anything about it. :cursing:

[Casspian]

:thumbdown:http://www.wlwt.com/news/21205374/detail.html

"The trial of a Butler County pediatrician charged with sexual abuse and drug trafficking began Monday. Mark Blankenburg faces more than 50 charges in all."

"His twin brother is also charged and will be tried separately in April of 2010."

"WLWT.com has provided an archive of stories from the Blankenburg case below so you can catch up on the details of the case as the trial unfolds. "


From your link

"Court documents allege that Mark Blankenburg also recorded three of these interludes."

[watson]

This story kind of reminds me of that movie about the twin gynocologists in Canada (?) who abused women sadistically. I can't remember the title.

[BobbysGirl]

This story kind of reminds me of that movie about the twin gynocologists in Canada (?) who abused women sadistically. I can't remember the title.

Hi watson, Dead Ringers. Starring Jeremy Irons. It has been on cable movie lately. Disturbing movie.

BG

[MiamiNice1]

:thumbdown:http://www.wlwt.com/news/21205374/detail.html

"The trial of a Butler County pediatrician charged with sexual abuse and drug trafficking began Monday. Mark Blankenburg faces more than 50 charges in all."

"His twin brother is also charged and will be tried separately in April of 2010."

"WLWT.com has provided an archive of stories from the Blankenburg case below so you can catch up on the details of the case as the trial unfolds. "
All caught up, now!

I'm so disgusted - the victims were as young as 5 to 8 years of age when the abuse began. These kids are damaged for life, imo - just reading about the one father breaks yhour heart.

Maybe because it's a small town.....but here in Miami, the parents are IN THE ROOM ALWAYS with the minor children at the pediatrician's office!

The only consolation is that from the "collapsing in court" episode on 9/11/09, looks like those twins won't fair too well in prison.

imo

[MiamiNice1]

From your link

"Court documents allege that Mark Blankenburg also recorded three of these interludes."
Sickos just can't help themselves, can they? :angry:

imo

[MiamiNice1]

Probably for the same reason the dentist my parents made me go to as a child was able to get away with it for so many years; no, he did not molest me but he was extremely sadistic.

They probably had a sixth sense for children who could not or would not tell their parents, or who had parents who were like mine and weren't going to do anything about it. :cursing:
Yes, you're right. A friend of mine had an "episode" at her dentist's when she was 9 yo. While in his chair, he would rub against her arm as it rested on the armrest while he worked on her.......

With this story always in mind, I took my girls to a pediatric dentist for their first dental appointments. The place was a "fairyland" - a child's dream waiting room....T.V.'s, hand held video games, ball pits, treasure chest, Foos-hockey, etc......But then I saw the SIGN: Parents must wait in the waiting room. No parents beyond this door - I LEFT.

But the pediatrician's office? Why would they be ALONE with them?

imo

eta - sorry for what happened to you! How fightening!

[MiamiNice1]

Hi watson, Dead Ringers. Starring Jeremy Irons. It has been on cable movie lately. Disturbing movie.

BG
I'll have to keep an eye out for the movie......(thanks watson, too)

(I love Jeremy Irons.....but what a terrible role! :()

[airportwoman]

Hi watson, Dead Ringers. Starring Jeremy Irons. It has been on cable movie lately. Disturbing movie.

BG


What was really creepy is that it was based on a true story.

[watson]

What was really creepy is that it was based on a true story.

Thanks for the memory aid!

Yes, creepy movie and yes, based on a true story!

[veracruz]

http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story/Witness-Says-He-Was-Molested-By-Dr-On-First-Visit/2Ri8LOFll0mbABJlfYx6xQ.cspx

"Witness Says He Was Molested by Dr. on First Visit"

:cursing:

[MiamiNice1]

http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story/Witness-Says-He-Was-Molested-By-Dr-On-First-Visit/2Ri8LOFll0mbABJlfYx6xQ.cspx

"Witness Says He Was Molested by Dr. on First Visit"

:cursing:
This is just amazing! According to your link, the Dr. has helped one of his victims buy over a "dozen cars" over the years and has even paid the guy and his wife's "rent and utilities!!!"

It's a wonder how far they will go! This is only the beginning, hearing the witnesses and then there is the twin brother's trial to come as well!

I cannot imagine sitting there, hearing from the actual victims what was done to them! :angry:

imo

eta - I'm still dying to know the answers to the questions you posted upthread - are (were) these two married? Do they have children??

[MiamiNice1]

Probably for the same reason the dentist my parents made me go to as a child was able to get away with it for so many years; no, he did not molest me but he was extremely sadistic.

They probably had a sixth sense for children who could not or would not tell their parents, or who had parents who were like mine and weren't going to do anything about it. :cursing:
I really agree with your last paragraph! I wholeheartedly believe there is some kind of subconscious instinct these monsters have in selecting their victims.

I cannot imagine what a terror those poor boys had (and that you had) being taken to see these victimizers - like lambs being led to the slaughter. :(

imo

[~layla~]

I'll have to keep an eye out for the movie......(thanks watson, too)

(I love Jeremy Irons.....but what a terrible role! :()

I think it was on Encore... or one of the independant movie channels. Just saw it listed over the weekend (but I didnt watch).

[veracruz]

This is just amazing! According to your link, the Dr. has helped one of his victims buy over a "dozen cars" over the years and has even paid the guy and his wife's "rent and utilities!!!"

It's a wonder how far they will go! This is only the beginning, hearing the witnesses and then there is the twin brother's trial to come as well!

I cannot imagine sitting there, hearing from the actual victims what was done to them! :angry:

imo

eta - I'm still dying to know the answers to the questions you posted upthread - are (were) these two married? Do they have children??

So am I. I'm dying to know. I can't find it anywhere.

I'm going to contact a reporter in Cincinnati and see if I can find out.

imo

[veracruz]

:mad:"Girlfriend of Alleged Blankenburg Victim Testifies"

http://www.kypost.com/content/wcposhared/story/Girlfriend-Of-Alleged-Blankenburg-Victim-Testifies/wbq7J9nxlEqFo90WL8yx_g.cspx

"Testimony at the trial of Dr. Mark Blankenburg began Thursday with the testimony of Tracey Fields, girlfriend of one of the alleged victims."

"Fields said that in 2005 the victim told her about his past relationship with Dr. Blankenburg and that it included sexual encounters along with his getting paid by the doctor after each incident."

Full article at link.

[birdwatch]

:mad:"Girlfriend of Alleged Blankenburg Victim Testifies"

http://www.kypost.com/content/wcposhared/story/Girlfriend-Of-Alleged-Blankenburg-Victim-Testifies/wbq7J9nxlEqFo90WL8yx_g.cspx

"Testimony at the trial of Dr. Mark Blankenburg began Thursday with the testimony of Tracey Fields, girlfriend of one of the alleged victims."

"Fields said that in 2005 the victim told her about his past relationship with Dr. Blankenburg and that it included sexual encounters along with his getting paid by the doctor after each incident."

Full article at link.
Im confused. Why is it that the victim continued the relationship well into adulthood, but his girlfriend says it wasn't consensual. How could that be - when he was in his 30's? Blackmail of some kind? Seems like the doctor would be the one being blackmailed. He sure couldn't allow the info to get out.

[emdragon]

I want to know if they are fraternal or Identical-
Was there behavior genetic? Or environmental. Horror aside it is fascinating .

[Crispy]

This particular brother that is on trial now is not married and I believe that the twins lived together, but I can't say for sure if they still did at the time of the arrests. There is a live blog of the trial going at wlwt.com it has archives so you can read back as well.

ETA: From reading the live blog it looks like the two dr's and their dad lived in the house and the mom lived elsewhere.

[MiamiNice1]

I think it was on Encore... or one of the independant movie channels. Just saw it listed over the weekend (but I didnt watch).
Oh, THANKS for this! I'm going to start a search on Encore! Now, I'm dying to see it! :)

[MiamiNice1]

So am I. I'm dying to know. I can't find it anywhere.

I'm going to contact a reporter in Cincinnati and see if I can find out.

imo
Keep us posted! :thumbsup:

[birdwatch]

This particular brother that is on trial now is not married and I believe that the twins lived together, but I can't say for sure if they still did at the time of the arrests. There is a live blog of the trial going at wlwt.com it has archives so you can read back as well. News articles mention searches at their homes (plural) and offices.
They look just about exactly alike but I didn't catch whether they are identical or fraternal. I suspect idential, but would like to know.

[MiamiNice1]

Im confused. Why is it that the victim continued the relationship well into adulthood, but his girlfriend says it wasn't consensual. How could that be - when he was in his 30's? Blackmail of some kind? Seems like the doctor would be the one being blackmailed. He sure couldn't allow the info to get out.
I know - the girlfriend saying "it wasn't consensual" is confusing when the man is an adult, with a wife and kids. Maybe their thinking is that he felt "forced" by his financial circumstances to further engage with the doctor. I believe she used the wrong word.

While I feel so sorry that the victim was victimized by the doctor at a young age, it seems that many years later, he was now "prostituting" himself for money from the doctor. :(

imo

[Crispy]

News articles mention searches at their homes (plural) and offices.
They look just about exactly alike but I didn't catch whether they are identical or fraternal. I suspect idential, but would like to know.

Could be. The brothers owned the house that their mother lived in as well and they searched that too. I'm trying to find if they are identical or fraternal.

[birdwatch]

Could be. The brothers owned the house that their mother lived in as well and they searched that too. I'm trying to find if they are identical or fraternal. finally found it - googled: are the blankenburg twins identical? YES

[MiamiNice1]

Just did an ENCORE search and "Dead Ringers" plays on:

Fri. 10/16 at 3:15am/10:35am/11:55pm

Tues. 10/20 at 12:20am/8:20am/7:00pm

[Jaxnoeny]

This is exactly why I never allow my son alone in the room with a doctor or dentist.

I actually walked out of a dentist's office when they refused to allow me to go back in the room. It was their "policy"...I informed them as my son's mother my policy was to accompany my child! The dentist got a tad huffy and wanted to know why, I told him I didn't know him then...I looked him dead in the eye and asked him why exactly was he so anxious to get my son in a closed room without me.!!!!!!!!! That's when I left.

I would never allow my child alone in a doctor's office but a dentist is a bit different. There is no reason whatsever a dentist should touch anything other than a mouth or neck area and clothes should always remain on! My children were seen by the dentist and I was not allowed to be in the room. They always had a positive experience and never even dreaded going!

I am a nurse and I can tell you that there is a reason why the mother/father would be asked to leave the room and there is nothing sinister to it. Children behave much better when mom and dad aren't arround plus when you have JR crying and saying something hurts mom is likely to react to that which in turn gets the child more upset. Most dentist do not want the parent in the room for that reason and since. I have seen it so many times in the ER. Sometimes if the parent will step out of the room for 2 min the child will calm down. I would definitely tell any parent to use their gut. If you don't feel comfortable leaving them......don't! Your gut feeling is usually right!

[MiamiNice1]

Whooo hoooo! You rock!

I think..what's ENCORE?

LOL! Encore is one of the (free) Movie Channels people get with their Cable Provider - like STARZ, HBO, Showtime. We switched from DirecTV to AT&T U-Verse.

Hope you get it!

[forensicpsy~]

Morning All!

From yesterday's testimony:

"Convict is Third Accuser to Testify Against Pediatrician"

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/crime/convict-is-third-accuser-to-testify-against-pediatrician-337850.html

From the article:

"The man said he went to Blankenburg when he was 15 after being injured in a fight. He was given pain medication and became addicted."

"The man said he went back to Blankenburg for more drugs and the doctor sexually molested him."

Also from the article:

"The man said that he and Blankenburg fell into a routine. He would travel to the office by skateborad or bicycle for sexual encounters for which Blankenburg gave him money."


:thumbdown:

[barskin&co.]

Hi watson, Dead Ringers. Starring Jeremy Irons. It has been on cable movie lately. Disturbing movie.

BG

That movie was based, only loosely, on the real life case of Stewart and Cyril Marcus, identical twin gynecologists/barbituate addicts.

In this link you will find a chapter on them. Scroll down to page 97:

http://books.google.com/books?id=YikLNbwN6LoC&pg=PA98&lpg=PA98&dq=Stewart+and+Cyril+Marcus&source=bl&ots=sbDAHmI1Bu&sig=f4K5HLo63OIOZKEq2wuyVygNwaM&hl=en&ei=pnDPSunKFNLL8QbFz8HsAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10#v=onepage&q=Stewart%20and%20Cyril%20Marcus&f=false

[veracruz]

"Fourth Patient Claims Sex Abuse by Pediatrician"


http://www.kypost.com/content/wcposhared/story/Fourth-Patient-Claims-Sex-Abuse-By-Pediatrician/Yau-Dn9MB0qKtten6NRQmg.cspx

"He continued that the abuse began when he was nine years old."

"After Dr. Blankenburg took his vital signs, the man said he would 'put his hands on my stomach and go swish, swish, swish.'"

"From then he would go down to my private parts, grab the middle of them, go 'shaky, shaky, shaky' and ask me how that feels,he told the court." :(:eek::cuss:

[veracruz]

"'Child Erotica' Shown in Doctor's Trial"


http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091009/NEWS010702/91009018/+Child+erotica++shown+in+doctor+s++trial

[veracruz]

Athlete:" He Sometimes Rubbed Against Us."

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/crime/athlete-he-sometimes-rubbed-against-us-344733.html

"But Murphy said he noticed odd behavior by the Dr. around the dugout."

"It became apparent he sometimes rubbed against us" he said.

"The prosecutions case include photos police said they found when they searched the brothers' Susan Drive home and to which they assign pornographic intent."

[veracruz]

"Defense Rests in Doctor's Trial"

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091014/NEWS0107/310130100/Defense+rests+in+doctor+s+trial

"The defense rested its' case after calling only one witness in the trial of Mark Blankenburg."

Also:

"Before a packed courtroom, the witness, Blankenburg's office manager, gave testimony that seems to conflict with at least two of the Dr's accusers."

Lisa sounds like a real piece of work. I'll be amazed if this guy is acquitted.

The younger inmates better be skeered when the good Dr. walks through the door. :scared:

imo

[forensicpsy~]

"Judge In Doc's Trial Says Jury Can't View Tapes"

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio-news/judge-in-docs-trial-says-jury-cant-view-tapes-350593.html

AP Article

[Crispy]

Mark Blankenburg found guilty on all 16 charges before the jury.

http://www.wlwt.com/news/21317837/detail.html

There are still 25 charges related to drugs and bribery to be decided by the judge at a later time and he also faces child pornography charges at another trial that hasn't had a date set so far.

His brother is facing around 22 counts this spring.



ETA per CW: http://www.wbay.com/global/story.asp?s=11328247

[forensicpsy~]

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091018/NEWS01/910190325/Blankenburg+victims++courage+praised

From the article:

"I'd never heard of a case anywhere with these unique facts and circumstances'" said Piper, a prosecutor for twenty five years. "You have identical twins, which is unusual. They both go on to medical school and both become doctors..which is unusual. They live together -that's unusual. And then to both be charged with this pattern of criminal activity. It's just extremely unique and bizarre."

I think the prosecutor just about summed it up.

[Crispy]

On Thursday at 2 p.m. the judge in this case will announce his verdict on the 25 remaining charges, including bribery, money laundering and drug trafficking.

[forensicpsy~]

On Thursday at 2 p.m. the judge in this case will announce his verdict on the 25 remaining charges, including bribery, money laundering and drug trafficking.

Thank you for the heads up.

Please post the judge's decision, if you can.

:smile:

[Crispy]

He was found guilty on one count of aggravated drug trafficking, four counts of drug trafficking and one money laundering charge. He was found not guilty on another 19 counts.

On Nov. 19 they are going to have another hearing to set a trial date for the 12 charges related to child pornography. I'm not sure when sentencing is going to be, but I thought I read somewhere(not at the link I'm posting) that he could face up to 80 years for the counts he was found guilty of.

http://www.wlwt.com/news/21426402/detail.html

[forensicpsy~]

He was found guilty on one count of aggravated drug trafficking, four counts of drug trafficking and one money laundering charge. He was found not guilty on another 19 counts.

On Nov. 19 they are going to have another hearing to set a trial date for the 12 charges related to child pornography. I'm not sure when sentencing is going to be, but I thought I read somewhere(not at the link I'm posting) that he could face up to 80 years for the counts he was found guilty of.

http://www.wlwt.com/news/21426402/detail.html

Oh, good. 80 years sounds reasonable for a scum like him.

Thank you for posting this.

:seeya: