The wife of a Florida doctor accused of of child porn has resigned from her position at a juvenile
Lynda Leedy, the wife of palliative care doctor Stephen Leedy, stepped down from her role as chief administrative officer of the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County in light of the allegations against her husband.
The Tampa Bay Times was informed by a spokesperson that Ms. Leedy submitted her resignation on Jan. 9, effective immediately, and is no longer a part of the Juvenile Welfare Board staff.
Stephen Leedy, aged 59, has been charged with three counts of creating child sexual abuse material, as well as two counts of coercing or persuading a minor to participate in sexual activities. Additionally, prosecutors claim he instructed a minor girl to harm herself, which tragically resulted in her death.
No murder charges have been filed in connection with her death.
In November 2022, investigators found a 13-year-old girl dead after she hanged herself in front of her phone. Prosecutors claim that messages on the device indicated that Stephen Leedy instructed her to create child sexual abuse material and to choke herself.
A review of Leedy’s account revealed interactions with multiple other minors, where he urged them to produce child pornography and self-mutilate.
Prosecutors contended that Leedy “clearly engaged in this predatory behavior with around 10 minor victims nationwide.”
Autopsy records obtained by the Times stated that Leedy communicated with the girl through Discord, a messaging and video chat app. He used an anonymous username to conceal his identity and never appeared on camera, prosecutors said.
Leedy allegedly operated under the username “maximumuncle#9112” to exploit and harm approximately 10 minors online. In his chats and video calls, he reportedly directed the minors to produce sexually explicit images and urged them to engage in self-harm, including cutting, choking, and hanging themselves, according to the Department of Justice.
Meanwhile, Linda Leedy reportedly resigned with a “heavy heart.” She had been a leader at the organization for 10 years.
“I understand that the extraordinary circumstances surrounding my personal situation have made my continued employment untenable,” his wife wrote, following the resignation.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working for you and this excellent organization in meeting the needs of Pinellas County’s children and families.”
Leedy could face life in prison if convicted in the charges against him. He is currently held in federal custody in Atlanta.
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[Feature Photo: Dr. Stephen Leedy/ Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association]
