Temple Pediatrician Facing Child Porn Charges Released on Bond
A local doctor who faces serious allegations of possession of child pornography is no longer in police custody after a hearing Tuesday.
Authorities say Palmer came under suspicion when lewd images of children were uploaded to an online storage account of which he made use. During their search of Palmer's office, investigators summoned a locksmith to open a locked desk drawer. Inside, they reportedly found a laptop computer and three external hard drives. A forensics review of the devices reportedly led tot he discovery of sexually explicit images of children on one of the external drives.
Our news partner, KWTX, reports that Palmer has been released on an unsecured $25,000 bond. Under the terms of the bond, he must submit to the collection of a DNA sample if the procedure is authorized, and he cannot move or change his phone number without informing law enforcement.
McLane Children's Hospital officials announced on Friday, April 20 that Palmer's employment had been terminated. On April 23, the Texas Medical Board temporarily suspended Palmer's license to practice medicine. According to KWTX, the board felt Palmer's continued practice "pose[d] a continuing threat to the public".
In a news release, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Palmer has denied any involvement with child pornography.