Daniel O'Hern, longtime Goshen pediatrician, arrested for sharing child porn

By Geri Corey
GOSHEN — Former Goshen resident Dr. Daniel O’Hern, 64, was arrested on Tuesday, June 24, at his home in Mashpee, Mass., and charged with sharing child pornographic images and videos through an online file sharing program.

He was taken from his home on 174 Lowell Road in the Quashnet Valley condominium complex in handcuffs.

Some of the children in the videos were described as “prepubescent,” meaning before the age of 12 for girls and 14 for boys.

What makes his arrest so shocking for the local community is that O’Hern was a pediatrician for more than 30 years, practicing at Dunning Road Pediatrics for most of his career and at Crystal Run Healthcare for several years before retiring in 2011.

With a career that spanned so many years, he cared for numerous children, bringing them from infancy to adulthood. Parents are left wondering what might have taken place with their own children while under his care.

O’Hern is board-certified in pediatrics with 32 years of experience. He is the author of a book, "Common Sense Pediatrics for Parents," and quite visible on YouTube offering advice to parents on issues pertaining to child rearing.

Patients' online comments about him before his arrest were complimentary, including his quickness at diagnosing a health problem and a good bedside manner. Kids loved him, and parents felt they could trust him and were comfortable with him.

O’Hern, a graduate of Albany Medical School, was charged under federal law with possession and distribution of child pornography. If convicted, he could be sentenced up to 20 years in prison on the distribution charge, with a minimum mandatory five years in prison, and up to 10vyears in prison on the possession charge. Both come with lifetime supervision when he is released.

Mashpee police removed boxes of items, a computer, and a flat-screen television from O’Hern’s home when he was arrested.