A prominent pediatrician in Washington state has been found dead following a major investigation into allegations of child abuse. Michael R. Wilmington, 61, was discovered in Lewis County on May 2 in an apparent suicide.
The discovery occurred shortly after authorities issued a felony warrant for his arrest. He faced serious accusations involving the molestation of children at his private residence.
The investigation began in February 2026 after the Vancouver Police Department received a digital tip. This initial lead pointed toward the distribution of child sexual abuse material.
Detectives traced the digital trail to 36-year-old Chad Hartley. Hartley was taken into custody on April 29 following a search of his home.
Evidence recovered from Hartley’s property led investigators to Wilmington. Police allege that the pediatrician hosted disturbing events described as nude sleepovers for children.
Authorities executed a search warrant at Wilmington’s home in La Center on April 30. They seized numerous items of evidence that further substantiated the criminal allegations.
Wilmington held a medical position with Kaiser Permanente in the Portland-Vancouver region. The organization confirmed that it terminated his employment immediately upon learning of the investigation.
Kaiser Permanente stated that it is cooperating fully with law enforcement officials. They have reassigned all of Wilmington’s patients to other physicians to maintain continuity of care.
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is currently leading the death investigation. Officials are working to determine the full scope of the alleged abuse and the extent of the relationship between Wilmington and Hartley.
The case remains active as investigators search for additional victims or witnesses. Law enforcement agencies are urging anyone with information regarding unsupervised contact with the suspects to come forward.
This case has sent shockwaves through the local medical community and the broader public. Authorities emphasize that their primary focus remains the safety and support of the affected families.
The investigation highlights the critical role of digital forensics in modern child protection efforts. Officials continue to process the evidence collected from both suspects to ensure a thorough legal review.