INDIANAPOLIS— The conviction of a Lebanon pediatrician for molesting children in his care is giving hope to victims and prosecutors.
A jury found Jonathon Cavins guilty Thursday night of child molesting, sexual misconduct with a minor and child seduction.
He will be sentenced on March 11 and faces up to 35 years behind bars.
Call 6 Investigates spoke with the parents of one of Cavins’ victims who testified in court.
“I’m extremely, extremely thankful to the 12 jurors who took time out of their lives to take the time to listen to these boys and because of them and these boys our son and potentially a lot of other people are getting justice," the mother of one of the victims said.
Cavins molested patients during examinations including touching them after he put condoms on them.
“We want all those other parents whose kids have seen Dr. Cavins to ask questions of their kids,” Greg Laker, an attorney who represents one victim and other possible victims, said. “Did Dr. Cavins use a condom with you? Now that the jury has spoken and he's been convicted we need other parents to talk to their kids about that."
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The family RTV6 spoke with says their son was one of five patients who testified against Cavins.
They want Cavins to do the maximum behind bars.
They say their son has a long road ahead, but the guilty verdict is helping him heal.
"He's relieved they found him guilty and he's not going to hurt another kid,” said the mom. “That's huge, and that's why he spoke out is he wanted to make sure this doesn't happen to another child."
“He just looks a lot lighter, and he doesn’t have that stress and tension building up inside,” said the father. “The truth is the truth. It didn’t matter that he was a doctor.”
Boone County prosecutor Kent Eastwood told RTV6 the credit for the verdict goes to the former patients who spoke up.
“The true heroes of this story are those young boys who came forward to share their stories of sexual abuse,” Eastwood said in an email to RTV6. “The strength and courage they showed — we pray that this will serve as a beacon for other victims of sexual abuse to come forward."
Cavins’ attorney declined to comment on the verdict.
His medical license is currently suspended, and the medical licensing board is expected to take further action.
