WATSONVILLE, Calif. — Authorities say a brain surgeon who was recently fired from an Arkansas hospital and two nurses have been charged in a child sex abuse ring involving seven victims under 13.
Watsonville police Capt. Jorge Zamora said Thursday that Dr. James Kohut, Emily Stephens and Rashel Brandon have been arrested and charged with sex crimes with children.
Zamora said the children have been placed in protective custody. It was unclear if the suspects are represented by lawyers.
Zamora said investigators were given a video that they say shows the abuse and was recorded in a nearby hotel.
Zamora declined to discuss relationships among the defendants and children.
Kohut had been hired by Sparks Health System in Fort Smith but was fired Monday after about 2 weeks, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported Thursday. The Arkansas State Medical Board issued an emergency suspension of his medical license on Wednesday.
Watsonville is 90 miles south of San Francisco.