A pediatrician who allegedly “hosted naked sleepovers with young children” died by suicide in Lewis County, according to the Vancouver Police Department.
In February 2026, Vancouver police opened an investigation after receiving a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding child sex abuse material involving a Vancouver IP address, according to a news release from Vancouver police.
On April 29, investigators identified a suspect in this case, Chad Hartley.
Detectives from the Digital Evidence Cybercrime Unit and the Children’s Justice Center located Hartley during a pedestrian stop, took him into custody, and subsequently served a search warrant at his Vancouver residence, according to the release. Hartley was booked into the Clark County Jail for second-degree dealing in child pornography (four counts), possession of child pornography (four counts) and first-degree child molestation.
“The investigation also revealed that Hartley was associated with Michael R. Wilmington, who is a local pediatrician affiliated with multiple medical facilities in the Portland/Vancouver area,” Vancouver police stated in the release. “Wilmington allegedly hosted naked sleepovers with young children at his La Center, Washington, residence.”
On April 30, a search warrant was served at Wilmington’s residence. Numerous items of evidence were seized, according to police.
On May 1, additional information was obtained by detectives regarding Wilmington molesting a child at his home, according to police.
A felony warrant for child molestation was issued for Wilmington.
On May 2, Vancouver police were notified that Wilmington was found dead in Lewis County from an apparent suicide. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the death investigation, according to Vancouver police.
“The investigation by the Vancouver Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office is continuing,” Vancouver police stated in the release. “Detectives are asking anyone who is aware of a child who may have had unsupervised contact with Chad Hartley or Michael Wilmington to contact the local law enforcement agency for their jurisdiction. No additional information is being released at this time.”
PeaceHealth issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon.
“The safety and well-being of our patients is our highest priority, and we take these allegations extremely seriously,” the health care provider stated. “After being notified of the charges and arrest, Chad Hartley was immediately placed on leave and his employment has been terminated. We also immediately began a thorough review of his interactions with patients and will act quickly on any information identified that affects patient care. Dr. Michael Wilmington is not and has never been employed by PeaceHealth. Questions or information related to the criminal charges should be directed to the Vancouver Police Department. PeaceHealth is fully supporting and cooperating with the law enforcement investigation.”
Meanwhile, a law firm says additional victims have already come forward.
“Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC (PCVA Law) announced today that multiple individuals have contacted the firm alleging sexual abuse by a Clark County pediatrician who was recently found dead while under active investigation by law enforcement,” the law firm stated in a news release. “Dr. Michael Wilmington, who practiced in Clark County, was the subject of an ongoing child molestation investigation at the time of his death. According to the Vancouver Police Department, the death has been ruled an apparent suicide. Attorneys at PCVA Law confirm that multiple individuals have come forward with allegations of abuse connected to the physician’s medical practice.”
“This is often the moment when other survivors begin to come forward,” said Mallory Allen, a partner at PCVA Law. “Given that Dr. Wilmington practiced as a pediatrician for many years, and was a trusted member of the community, there may be dozens, if not hundreds, of victims.”
In the news release, the firm emphasized that the death of a suspected perpetrator does not end the pursuit of accountability.
“Even when an individual can no longer be prosecuted, there are important questions about what the institutions who employed him knew, how concerns were handled, and whether these institutions failed to protect victims at their most vulnerable,” Allen added.
Kaiser Permanente has reportedly begun notifying patients about the situation, the law firm stated in the release.
PCVA Law is encouraging anyone who may have had concerning interactions with the physician, or who has information relevant to the investigation, to come forward.
