‘Demented behavior’: Monroe County family doctor arrested in child exploitation sting Doctor’s arrest follows undercover operation targeting child predators
William J. Murdoch (WDIV)
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – A Monroe County family practice doctor was arrested after reportedly seeking a sexual relationship with a 5-year-old girl.
According to authorities , Dr. William J. Murdoch began chatting online in June with someone he believed was a mother willing to allow her 5-year-old daughter to engage in a sexual relationship with him. The “mother” was actually a Port St. Lucie police detective in Florida.
Murdoch reportedly sent multiple messages describing how he would groom the child and sexually abuse them.
Police described it as “demented behavior.”
A warrant for Murdoch’s arrest was issued, and he was quickly apprehended by U.S. Marshals.
He faces extradition to Florida on charges of soliciting a parent to consent to sexual conduct involving a child.
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.
About the Author Dane Kelly headshot
Dane Kelly is an Oreo enthusiast and producer who has spent the last seven years covering Michigan news and stories.
How much do you pay a month on streaming subscriptions? ▶ 0:43
How much do you pay a month on streaming subscriptions?
Staying alive when you ride ▶ 0:58
Staying alive when you ride
Oakland County water main break: Monday morning update ▶ 2:22
Oakland County water main break: Monday morning update
Teen overcomes stroke, brain surgeries to attend senior prom ▶ 1:44
Teen overcomes stroke, brain surgeries to attend senior prom
Sherri Shepherd & Kym Whitley Bring the Laughs! ▶ 1:55
Sherri Shepherd & Kym Whitley Bring the Laughs!
How going back to work could hurt your case ▶ 0:29
How going back to work could hurt your case
Nonprofit launches summer jobs program for Pontiac teens ▶ 1:02
Nonprofit launches summer jobs program for Pontiac teens
Woman survives crash that split car in half ▶ 0:20
Woman survives crash that split car in half
May's Go 4 It: Collecting tools for the community ▶ 0:47
May's Go 4 It: Collecting tools for the community
Tension flares at hearing over proposed historic district designation ▶ 1:56
Tension flares at hearing over proposed historic district designation
Tobias Harris powers Detroit Pistons with 21 points in Game 2 ▶ 0:52
Tobias Harris powers Detroit Pistons with 21 points in Game 2
WATCH OUT When Insurance Makes a Fast Offer ▶ 1:05
WATCH OUT When Insurance Makes a Fast Offer
Detroit Pistons’ Daniss Jenkins reflects on 2-0 lead vs. Cavs ▶ 0:32
Detroit Pistons’ Daniss Jenkins reflects on 2-0 lead vs. Cavs
Detroit Pistons' JB Bickerstaff reacts to physical Game 2 ▶ 0:45
Detroit Pistons' JB Bickerstaff reacts to physical Game 2
Mother's Day Ideas! ▶ 2:08
Mother's Day Ideas!
Woman accused of threats linked to David Taylor case ▶ 1:10
Woman accused of threats linked to David Taylor case
Trying the best burgers in Detroit with Carlos Eats Detroit ▶ 1:22
Trying the best burgers in Detroit with Carlos Eats Detroit
Did you know this about Michigan Humane? ▶ 0:48
Did you know this about Michigan Humane?
The Continental Restaurant on the Ford House grounds debuts its spring menu ▶ 1:10
The Continental Restaurant on the Ford House grounds debuts its spring menu
Nonprofit boosts kids of incarcerated parents in Detroit ▶ 0:38
Nonprofit boosts kids of incarcerated parents in Detroit
Dee Warner murder case: Man sentenced to 30+ years in prison ▶ 2:41
Dee Warner murder case: Man sentenced to 30+ years in prison
Police push for tougher penalties after multi-city high-speed chase ▶ 2:32
Police push for tougher penalties after multi-city high-speed chase
Mental health crisis calls may soon be handled by trained specialists ▶ 0:56
Mental health crisis calls may soon be handled by trained specialists
Things you should NEVER do after an accident ▶ 1:04
Things you should NEVER do after an accident
South Warren community garden saved ▶ 0:42
South Warren community garden saved
Previous photo Next photo