Florida anesthesiologist charged with child abuse images in 2023

David Rerko, a 61-year-old anesthesiologist from Florida, was arrested by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office after being accused of uploading over 100 files containing child sexual abuse material. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted law enforcement after receiving a tip from Yahoo! regarding illicit images associated with Rerko's account. Upon investigation, authorities discovered that he had emailed himself 122 files of child sexual abuse and 117 files categorized as 'child erotica.' Rerko has been a licensed physician in Florida since 2006 and has also held a license to practice in Mississippi. His employment at Broward Health North was terminated immediately following the revelation of the charges. The hospital's spokesperson expressed dismay at the situation, emphasizing that Rerko was provided to their system through a third-party contractor. He faces 11 felony charges and is currently being held on a bond set at $110,000. The nature of the allegations has raised significant concerns about the safety and integrity of medical professionals, particularly those working with vulnerable populations. This case highlights the ongoing issue of child exploitation and the critical role of technology in identifying and reporting such crimes. The swift action taken by authorities and the hospital reflects a commitment to safeguarding children and ensuring that individuals who pose a risk are removed from positions of trust.