Former pediatrician receives sentence for sexually assaulting patient
- Dignity 4Patients
- Dec 12, 2025
- 2 min read
By Gray News Staff- 7 News- 12/12/2025- [Maryland, US]- [Ernesto Cesar Torres]
A 74-year-old former pediatrician was sentenced by a Maryland judge on Monday.
Ernesto Cesar Torres, of Frederick, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after he was found guilty by a judge of sexual abuse of a minor and three counts of third-degree sexual offense.
The Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office said Torres initially faced more than 97 charges of sexually abusing his juvenile patients over the period of four decades, but the court proceeded with the specific charges.
State officials said Frederick police began investigating Torres in May 2019 after the mother of an 11-year-old patient reported her child was sexually abused during an exam in the pediatrician’s office.
The child was initially brought to Torres’ office to treat a mild skin condition, according to the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office, but she said the doctor made her uncomfortable by placing his hand down her pants.
The girl also said the doctor rubbed her stomach repeatedly and kissed her.
After the victim told her parents, the family changed pediatric practices.
Investigators conducted a forensic evaluation of the girl and determined the doctor did use his palm and fingers to touch the child inappropriately.
Torres was arrested at his medical office.
“I now can’t trust male authority,” the victim told the court during Torres’ sentencing.
WJZ-Baltimore reported Torres claimed he was possessed by a demon while he abused the patient.
“What he had to say about the victims at sentencing was one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever endured in a courtroom,” Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said. “The only thing demonic about this case is this defendant’s actions.”
The victim’s mother also addressed Torres and the court during sentencing.
“For 15 years, my children saw him regularly,” she said. “I trusted him. I had no idea what my child was living through. My trust in him was shattered and I will carry this pain for the rest of my life. I still carry the guilt.”
After completing of the 30-year prison sentence, Torres must serve five years of probation and register as a sex offender for his lifetime.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article and were abused in state run medical and health facilities, you can contact Dignity4Patients, whose helpline is open Monday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm.
Dignity4Patients Commentary: Cases like this expose a troubling reality of sexual misconduct within the healthcare system. Patients and vulnerable people are taught to trust doctors. When that trust is exploited; for young vulnerable patients in particular, the exploitation by the authority of a physician it can silence victims, cause discomfort or confusion for years.
