A sprawling child exploitation probe that initially spotlighted Clark County has now extended into civil court, with two lawsuits targeting multiple Kaiser Permanente affiliates over their handling of a now-deceased pediatrician accused of decades-long sexual abuse of young patients.
Dr. Michael R. Wilmington, who authorities say died by suicide in Lewis County on May 2—one day after a felony arrest warrant was issued—allegedly leveraged his role at the Kaiser Permanente Salmon Creek Medical Office to engage in inappropriate conduct with minors under his care.
Decades of Overlooked Red Flags
A first lawsuit, filed May 11 in King County Superior Court, names Kaiser Permanente Washington, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, and the Salmon Creek location as defendants. The case was initiated by “Jane Doe 1,” a former patient who alleges abuse occurring between 2000 and 2006 while she was a minor.
The complaint outlines patterns of conduct including unnecessary nudity, physical contact beyond what medical standards required, and comments of a sexual nature presented as part of routine clinical care. According to filings, Kaiser leadership allegedly downplayed or dismissed repeated concerns over time, prioritizing institutional reputation over patient safety.
One incident described in the suit occurred around 20 years ago, when a mother reported that Wilmington removed her adolescent daughter’s undergarments mid-sports physical to visually assess her genitalia—a move defended at the time by a Kaiser nurse as appropriate. Another episode, dating back about seven years, involved Wilmington performing well-child visits on four siblings, during which he manually examined the genital areas of two young boys. When the mother objected to being excluded during her youngest daughter’s exam, she reportedly submitted three formal complaints to the health system.
The lawsuit also cites more unconventional practices, including Wilmington’s advocacy for patient nudity during exams, hosting families at his residence for overnight gatherings labeled “sleepovers,” and encouraging a minor abuse survivor to accompany him as a sort of assistant—observing other children’s physical exams while unclothed. The complaint even notes instances where children were directed to examine peers under his supervision.
The plaintiff asserts claims for negligence, discrimination under the Washington Law Against Discrimination, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Withheld Alerts to Recent Families
A second lawsuit, filed May 13 in the same court, centers on Kaiser’s communication—or lack thereof—with families of patients seen more recently by Wilmington. The case was brought by C.W., an Oregon resident, on behalf of her daughter, K.N., who received care from the doctor from February 2022 through March 2024.
This complaint names Washington Permanente Medical Group and Northwest Permanente, alleging they possessed detailed knowledge of Wilmington’s conduct yet failed to inform families like hers about potential risks. According to the filing, Kaiser did not notify C.W.’s family of the concerns until May 3, 2026—just one day after Wilmington was found deceased in Lewis County.
The plaintiff seeks compensation for emotional harm resulting from what the suit describes as reckless omission of critical safety information.
Criminal Probe Expands
Meanwhile, the underlying criminal investigation into Wilmington’s conduct remains active, with prosecutors continuing to review evidence and interview witnesses as part of an ongoing probe.
Civil lawsuits have been filed in connection with a rapidly expanding criminal inquiry spearheaded by the Vancouver Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. The probe traces back to a cyber tip regarding child sex abuse material received in February 2026.
The investigation resulted in the April 29 arrest of a Vancouver resident, who remains in custody facing serious child pornography and molestation charges.
Detectives determined that the suspect was associated with a La Center man who hosted gatherings described by authorities as "naked sleepovers" at his residence.
The inquiry broadened on May 7 with the arrest of a 61-year-old local man. He is charged with Conspiracy to Commit Child Molestation I and Tampering with Physical Evidence, a detention authorities link to intensive forensic analysis of digital evidence.
The primary investigation is active and ongoing, with law enforcement urgently appealing to the public for assistance.
Police are asking anyone aware of a child who may have had unsupervised contact with the Vancouver resident, the La Center man, or the 61-year-old man to immediately contact their local law enforcement agency.