$30K Bond For Parkland Pediatrician Dr. Michael Mizrachy After Child Porn Arrest
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - A Parkland pediatrician that parents trusted with the welfare of their children is accused of an unsettling crime.
Dr. Michael Mizrachy, 49, has been charged with two counts of possession of sexual performance by a child and one count of computer pornography.
Mizrachy, a longtime popular children's doctor was given a $30,000 bond on three charges related to possessing child pornography Tuesday when he faced a judge during a zoom hearing. Mizrachy was ordered to turn over his passport, stay away from the internet, and have no contact with children, except for his, as a condition of his release on child pornography charges. When he is with his children, it must be supervised by their mother.
Detectives with the Broward Sheriff's Office began investigating Mizrachy last June after receiving a tip that he may have been involved in the possible distribution and possession of child pornography.
"We received a tip from the National Center for Missing and exploited children related to child pornography being sent through email," said BSO Lt. Andrea Tianga.
She says investigators found more.
"We found photos of children that appeared without their knowledge zoomed in on their private parts. In addition to the files we found sexually explicit photos he sent to a 15-year-old," she says.
After obtaining a search warrant, sheriff's investigators found a video that appears to show a child, between the ages of eight and 10 years of age, having sexual intercourse with an adult male.
In addition to the video, detectives reportedly found several photos depicting what appear to be young children in their bathing suits, underwear, or shorts. The sheriff's office said none of the children appear to be aware the photos were being taken.
"Through the execution of the search warrant detectives learned that Mizrachy used an app, known as KIK, to chat with a child who was 15 at the time. The chats included sexually explicit photographs that were shared from the child," the sheriff's office said in a release.
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Investigators also reportedly found other images of children within Mizrachy's accounts that were of his daughters' friends at his residence. These images included the children's clothed private parts, according to the sheriff's office.
Most of the children appeared to be between the ages of 13 and 15. One was confirmed to be 10 years old, according to sheriff's investigators.
Mizrachy worked for West Broward Pediatrics in Plantation but is no longer employed there.
The office released a statement:
"We are shocked and deeply disturbed by these accusations. Dr. Mizrachy's employment was terminated last year and he is no longer associated with our practice. We have no evidence any crimes were committed in the course of his professional duties."
The allegations have left the parents unsettled, including prominent South Florida state Senator Lauren Book, whose four-year-old twins have been seen by Mizrachy since they were born.
"I froze. I freaked out. I was devastated and horrified," said Book, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.
Book is a tireless advocate for sexual predator awareness, and she is dismayed about the allegations.
"This has hit me like a ton of bricks because it is the favorite pediatrician, the favorite coach, that's what predators are," Book said.
She has asked state regulators to revoke his license.
Detectives are asking anyone who believes their child may have been a victim to call BSO at (954) 321-4800 or Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.
