University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman said that the university had a “serious failure” when it took more than 6 months to investigate claims a resident physician brought child pornography with him to work.
The child pornography was reported in May, but the investigation was not started until November. Stephen Jenson, a medical resident, has now been charged with 4 counts of possessing child sexually abusive material. He has a Feb. 16 court date
“The auditor’s review revealed a significant breakdown across a number of units responsible for the safety, security and well being of people on our campus” Coleman said in a statement, which accompanied a 16 page internal report. “All of this is unacceptable, and we will address it immediately.”
A female resident found a thumb drive that was left in the computer in her work area. She opened it and found a file with adult and child pornography on it. Jenson’s name was attached to the file.
The next day she returned and the thumb drive was gone. She reported this to her boss, who started an investigation.
On June 2, after interviewing the resident an attorney handling the investigation said there was not enough evidence, he called the resident’s story shaky and closed the investigation.
Six month’s later, on Nov 11, following reports of child abuse at Penn State University, the reporting resident’s boss called the hospital’s top risk management executive and raised concerns about the handling of the case, the report said. The executive said it was the first time he heard of the case, he reopened the investigation and called university police.
Jenson’s home was searched, and he was suspended from work Dec. 2.
Coleman was notified the same day and on Dec. 3. she ordered an internal review.
On Dec. 16 Jenson was arrested. He was arraigned on charges the next day.
“In this case, there is no indication of illegal or inappropriate behavior with patients, but we must get it right in every instance,” Coleman said. “We must have clear protocols for logging and investigating potential crime. We must build a sound process, one that provides checks and balances so when serious errors in judgment or improper behavior occur, they are quickly identified and corrected.”
“I want to thank the medical resident who reported what she saw, not once but twice. And I want to apologize to her for not properly investigating the allegations in May. It took an act of courage to come forward again, and it is because of her that the case is now moving forward in the legal system.”
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