Doctor Admits Sexual Abuse of Sleeping Girl

An Oregon physician accused of molesting a sleeping 6-year-old Woodland Hills girl while visiting her family pleaded guilty Friday in Van Nuys Superior Court to one count of child molestation.

Daniel Lindner, 33, a vascular surgeon in Portland, was staying with the child’s family while attending a medical convention when the molestation occurred in October, 1986, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Susan M. Speer, who prosecuted the case.

According to Speer, Lindner set up a camera and photographed himself molesting the child by touching her genitals. Authorities believe that the incident occurred at night while the child slept, Speer said.

Investigators believe that Lindner may have drugged the child, Speer said.

Three other children in the house were unharmed, she added. The child’s parents, who are nudists, apparently had no knowledge that the molestation was occurring, Speer said.

Revealed by Photos

The molestation was revealed after Lindner returned to Portland and took the film in to be developed. The film developer notified Portland police. Lindner confessed to the molestation during interrogation by Portland police, Speer said.

Portland police contacted Los Angeles County authorities, who requested that Lindner return to Los Angeles and submit to arrest. Lindner agreed to cooperate, prosecutors said.

Lindner faces permanent loss of his medical license, which has been suspended by Oregon authorities since his arrest, the prosecutor said.

In exchange for Lindner’s guilty plea, prosecutors dropped four additional counts of child molestation relating to the same incident, which would have carried a maximum sentence of 16 years in prison. He now faces a maximum of 5 years in prison, Speer said.

Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Alan B. Haber scheduled sentencing Dec. 16.

The child’s parents asked through their attorney that Lindner receive no prison time for the molestation and said they do not want him to lose his medical license, Speer said.