Frederick County pediatrician accused of sexual abuse facing new charges

A Frederick County judge raised the bond of a pediatrician accused of rape and child sex abuse to a half a million dollars Tuesday. Dr. Ernesto Torres was already facing charges when he was re-arrested Monday and indicted on an additional 65 counts of sex abuse and sex offense.

"We were surprised that he was going to be able to practice medicine even supervised because some of the allegations with regard to these victims is that it occurred in the presence of a parent or in the presence of one of his office employees who was there at the time and certainly that is something we wanted to prohibit and fortunately the judge went along with it this time," said Frederick County State's Attorney Charlie Smith.

Torres has been practicing pediatric medicine in Frederick County for at least the last 35 years.

In April, an 18-year-old patient came forward claiming the doctor sexually abused her. Twenty-three additional people have come forward claiming they were abused as well. -- All of them are female. Most are now adults.

The latest indictment lists 11 victims with 65 counts of child sex abuse, sex abuse of a minor, third-degree sex offense, second-degree sex offense and second-degree assault.

In court Tuesday, the prosecutor described the assaults and abuse as fondling and digital penetration.

Detectives are now interviewing as many as 12 more people who claimed they were assaulted by Torres.

Amber Gunder took two of her boys to Torres and says he was great with kids.

"There were times when he would have his back to you a lot and as a parent you don't think about what you are not seeing on the other side and like how many little girls don't know what happened to them," said Gunder.