Bradley faces new charges, second trial

Tue, Apr 20, 2010 -

New charges were filed Monday, April 19, against Dr. Earl Bradley, the Lewes pediatrician already jailed on 471 charges of rape and exploitation involving 103 children.

Attorney General Joseph “Beau” Biden said a Sussex County grand jury has indicted Bradley on 58 new charges involving 24 additional victims, all girls.

“These charges are the next step forward in our continued efforts to hold Bradley accountable for his actions,” Biden said at the Delaware Department of Justice Office in Georgetown. “We are working just as hard to ensure the victims and their families have everything they need.”

Biden and lead state prosecutor Paula Ryan said the investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen if more charges will be filed. Biden said evidence for the new charges was gathered from 13 hours of video seized from Bradley’s home and office during December 2009 and interviews with assistance from Delaware’s Children’s Advocacy Center at the request of the Delaware Department of Justice and Delaware State Police.

Biden also said this is a separate case from the previous charges; Bradley will face a separate trial for the April 19 charges. Bond was not set on those charges, Biden said.

The charges in the new indictment, which include rape, unlawful sexual contact, continuous sexual abuse of a child and sexual exploitation, involve patients of Bradley from 1999 to 2009. If convicted of all charges, Bradley faces life in prison, Biden said.

Biden said he is awaiting a report from state solicitor Larry Lewis, who is conducting an investigation into the handling of the Bradley case.

Biden said he wants to know who in the state had an obligation to report information to the board of medical practice on Bradley and whether that obligation was fulfilled.

“I look forward to his report as soon as possible,” Biden said. The investigation has been ongoing for the past month.

Bradley is awaiting trial at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna on $4.7 million cash bond since his Dec. 18, 2009, arrest. A trial date on earlier charges has been set Monday, Feb. 14, 2011.

“As I have said before, there is a great deal more I would like to say about this case, but I am limited by the Delaware rules of conduct, “ Biden said. “I can say that we will ensure that justice is served on behalf of the victims in this case and their families, and the victims and families have all the support they need and deserve as result of this matter.”

Biden acknowledged support from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which has included investigators and forensic analysis assisting in evaluating the large amount of evidence and help in the ongoing investigation to identify victims.

Biden stressed the extent of victims’ services available. The Lewes Community Office at 105 W. 4th St., Lewes, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Parents can visit the office to receive a copy of their child’s pediatric file, share information with investigators and receive information about financial assistance for counseling and other services.

Other services offered include a 24-hour hotline at 800-842-8461 or by email at victim1@state.de.us.

Callers can speak with a victim service advocate who can provide information and make referrals.