Fla. Doctor forced girl to hang herself while filming child sex abuse footage: Feds

Content warning: This article contains disturbing descriptions of child violence and sexual abuse.

A Florida doctor faces criminal charges after federal prosecutors alleged he created child sexual abuse material and forced a girl to hang herself, leading to her death.

Stephen Andrew Leedy, 59, also faces charges of soliciting sexual activity from a minor in connection with this case, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Florida announced in a statement. press release shared on Monday, January 6.

Leedy, a palliative care physician in the Tampa, Florida, area, allegedly instructed approximately 10 children online to “create sexually explicit images of themselves and told them to cut, choke and hang themselves,” the release said.

According to a criminal complaint filed in the case and reviewed by PEOPLE, a 13-year-old girl was found dead in a bathroom in November 2022, hanging from the shower head and with a dog leash around her neck.

Investigators then searched the girl’s cell phone and discovered online conversations between her and someone with the username “maximumuncle#9112,” who was later determined to be Leedy, the motion states. Authorities say in the messages, Leedy instructed the girl to produce child sexual abuse material, “hang herself daily” and choke herself with a dog leash, according to the motion.

Want to stay up to date with the latest crime news? Register PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Authorities said a search of Leedy’s social media account allegedly showed he was having similar conversations with other children via text and video chats, adding that he never revealed his real identity, according to the motion. Investigators said the conversations showed Leedy “was aware” the alleged victims were minors.

Leedy’s defense lawyers, Bjorn Brunvand and Lucas Fleming, said Times in Tampa Bay their client “vehemently denies the allegations made against him in federal court.” Defense attorneys added that they plan to file a not guilty plea on Leedy’s behalf.

Prosecutors say Leedy faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted of three counts of producing child sexual abuse material and two counts of forcing or encouraging a minor to engage in sexual activity.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the crisis line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.