DOVER, Del. — Dating back almost a decade, there were complaints and investigations involving Dr. Earl Bradley, a well-known Delaware pediatrician who authorities say might have molested more than 100 children.
There were jokes among colleagues, who thought Bradley had an unusual practice with his carnival-like office filled with toys and a merry-go- round. Even Bradley’s own sister, who worked for him, heard parents’ concerns.
Despite the warnings, Delaware’s medical board only recently suspended Bradley’s license — after he was arrested.
“The system failed. What I don’t know, and what we must find out, is where and how,” said Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, who plans to order an independent review of the state’s handling of the case.
Outraged parents have complained that children could have been spared had officials acted sooner.
“If he was under investigation for over a year, why didn’t someone speak up?” a tearful mother said at a community forum last month. “All of this could have been avoided.”
Bradley, 56, is being held in lieu of $2.9 million bail after being charged with more than 30 felonies, including rape. After years of suspicions, his arrest came when a 2-year-old girl told her mother that Bradley hurt her last month when he took her to a basement room after an exam.
Authorities have said Bradley videotaped some of the attacks, some of which occurred in exam rooms with Disney themes.
Bradley faces a preliminary hearing Thursday. His attorney, Eugene Maurer, did not immediately return telephone messages left at his home and law office Saturday.
