ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A former doctor with the University of Michigan faces child pornography charges following his termination and revocation of his license to practice medicine due to allegations of having sex with a young patient.
UPDATE: Former University of Michigan doctor sentenced to 10 years in prison for child exploitation
Mark Franklin Hoeltzel was fired after the state of Michigan licensing board suspended his license to practice last month. Michigan State Police confirmed the opening of a criminal investigation.
READ: Police investigating after University of Michigan doctor fired for alleged sexual misconduct
Hoeltzel worked as a pediatric rheumatologist at the University of Michigan Hospital. He's now under investigation by university police and has been charged in federal court with receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
He was accused of failing to exercise due care, showing incompetence, lacking moral character and unprofessional conduct. The state said Hoeltzel committed all four.
Hoeltzel first got into trouble in 2004 after exchanging flirtatious social media messages with an 11-year-old girl he'd examined at a U of M arthritis camp. The hospital sent Hoeltzel to what they called a "boundaries course" as a result.
He wound up back on the hospital's radar after the State Licensing Board notified officials of a complaint against him last December.
Authorities executed a search warrant Dec. 12 at Hoelztel's where an 8BG flash drive was allegedly found containing over 200 images of child pornography. Another 94 images were allegedly found on Hoelztel's laptop.
The complaint details Hoeltzel's treatment of patient "A.W.," using initials to protect her identity. The treatment lasted from December 2015 to last November.
Hoeltzel and the patient first met while she was under another doctor's care and he transferred her to his own. They began exchanging texts and emails.
During this time, the state claims Hoeltzel prescribed oxycontin and morphine to the young woman.
"In 2016, they began engaging in a physical, sexual relationship, some of which took place in the doctor's clinic during A.W.'s appointments," the complaint says.
The complaint alleges Hoeltzel "often brought alcohol, which he shared with A.W. during his visits, despite the fact she was not 21 and was taking a number of medications."
Hoeltzel also allegedly told the patient about his 12 to 15 year-old patients, describing them as "hot."
The state alleges Hoeltzel "advised A.W. it was OK for her to drink while taking any of her medications ... although he did tell her not to take one of her medications with alcohol."
The University of Michigan released the following statement:
"Dr. Mark Hoeltzel is no longer employed by Michigan Medicine. These are serious allegations, and we are taking steps to protect our patients. Their wellbeing is our highest priority. We know this is disturbing news for our patients, and we have reached out to them to offer resources. The most important thing to know is when Michigan Medicine was notified of an allegation of sexual misconduct from the state of Michigan, we immediately removed the physician from patient care duties, and he was not allowed to return to work. We immediately reported the allegation to police. We are fully cooperating with the law enforcement investigation that is underway."
Here's a letter that was sent to Hoeltzel's patients:
"Dear Parent/Guardian:
"We recently notified you that your child’s care was reassigned to a new Michigan Medicine provider in Pediatric Rheumatology with training and experience comparable to your previous Michigan Medicine provider, Dr. Mark Hoeltzel.
"We write now with an update: The State of Michigan has suspended Dr. Hoeltzel’s license to practice medicine following an allegation it received of sexual misconduct. As soon as we learned of the allegation we removed Dr. Hoeltzel from all patient care duties and notified the University of Michigan Police Department, which launched an investigation that is ongoing. Dr. Hoeltzel is no longer employed at the University of Michigan and has no access to patient records.
"Your child is our top priority. We understand that this information will be disturbing and a cause for concern."
Here is a statement from Marschall S. Runge, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president of Medical Affairs for the University of Michigan and CEO of Michigan Medicine:
"In early December, Michigan Medicine was notified that the state licensing board was investigating Dr. Mark Hoeltzel for sexual misconduct. We took immediate steps to protect our patients by removing him from patient care duties the day we were alerted, and not allowing him to return to work. He is no longer a Michigan Medicine employee.
"We also immediately reported him to law enforcement and have been fully cooperating with the investigation that is underway. We continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement. In the meantime, we also have hired an experienced outside reviewer to investigate this matter.
"These are very disturbing and serious allegations, and we have reached out to our patients to inform them of the situation, offer resources and provide them with a way to report any concerns.
"The president and senior leaders of the university are aware and supportive of steps we are taking to address this matter. We must continue to do everything possible to protect the patients who entrust Michigan Medicine with their care. We also urge everyone to report any instances of potential misconduct that occur."