Some things are hard to understand (insert joke here about how there are a lot of things I don't understand). But the unfortunate news that I had to cover yesterday just doesn't make much sense to me.In case you haven't heard, a Jacksonville pediatrician (Dr. Gustavo Rios) was arrested and charged Friday for six felony charges of first degree sexual offense with a child. It's troubling when anyone is accused of committing such crimes -- but especially when it's a pediatrician. I don't have kids, but I do realize that pediatricians are among the most respected and revered doctors. They play such a huge role in keeping kids healthy and really can have a big impact on children.
While Jacksonville police say none of the alleged acts occured while Dr. Rios was at work, it still makes you scratch your head. And sure, people are allowed their private lives away from work, but I feel like someone in such a position is held to a higher standard -- although it's detestable for anyone to commit an act like this.
I talked to several parents in the Jacksonville area yesterday, none of whom whose children were patients of Dr. Rios. But they were still mortified and upset. Rightfully so, I believe. Now, I'm not convicting Dr. Rios here, because he is innocent until proven guilty. But he has been let go from his job at Jacksonville Children's Clinic and he's lost his privileges at Onslow Memorial Hospital.
It was one of those stories that I didn't really enjoy covering -- and one that will probably make you think twice the next time you leave your child alone with someone else.
I took a few psychology classes while at UNC, and if I ever go back to grad school, it will be to further my studies in psychology. I understand that some people do indeed have disorders that lead them to do unbelieveable and sometimes deplorable things. If that is indeed the case here (again, nothing has been proven yet), then I hope Dr. Rios gets the psychological help he needs. If convicted, that doesn't mean he should escape justice for the crimes he's accused of -- but psychological treatment could keep something like this from happening again.
Whether the allegations are true or not, I just hope I don't have to cover many more sad stories like that one.
What do you think? Feel free to hit the "Comments" button below and have your say!
2 comments:
I do have to say my children saw Dr. Rios on two separate occasions. During those visits he conducted himself very professionally. It is extremely disturbing to think that he may be convicted of crimes against a child. I refuse to jump onto the witch hunt and say I guessed something was amiss because I did not. He seemed quite intent on seeing to my children's healthcare and assure me that they would be fine. This does however reinforce the fact that parents should NEVER leave the room when their chidl is being examined, nor should they be asked to.
Good for people to know.
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