SickKids rheumatologist Dr. Dilan Dissanayake charged with child sexual abuse material

Toronto police arrested Dr. Dilan Dissanayake, 44, on Tuesday on charges of possessing and accessing child sexual abuse material. The SickKids doctor has been placed on immediate leave.

SickKids doctor arrested after devices seized at hospital and home

Global News Crime reports that Toronto police have charged Dr. Dilan Dissanayake, 44, a staff rheumatologist at the Hospital for Sick Children, with possession of and access to child sexual abuse and exploitation material. He was arrested on Tuesday and has been placed on immediate leave.

The investigation began in January when officers identified an electronic device allegedly used to access and download the materials. In February, search warrants were executed at SickKids and at a private residence. Multiple devices were seized, including a work computer.

Dissanayake had been employed at SickKids for more than a decade. A profile bearing his name was subsequently removed from the hospital's website.

In a statement, SickKids said it is "deeply upset and dismayed" by the news and that it "condemns the behaviour alleged in the police investigation." The hospital added: "We understand that this news is concerning and the safety and well-being of our patients, families and staff remain our highest priority."

Toronto police said there is currently no evidence linking the seized material to Dissanayake's work as a physician.

The University of Toronto said it placed Dissanayake on administrative leave as soon as it was made aware of the police investigation. The university clarified that he is not a university employee but holds a clinical faculty appointment through the Faculty of Medicine. It said it knows of no evidence that the charges relate to his university activities, and that it is reaching out to members of the university community who may have worked or studied with him to make them aware of available supports, in collaboration with SickKids.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario said its Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee directed the registrar to suspend Dissanayake's certificate of registration, effective July 21. Under Ontario law, the regulator may impose an interim suspension without notice when a physician's conduct exposes or is likely to expose patients to harm and urgent intervention is required. The college said it will continue to monitor the matter.

Source: Global News Crime