Pediatrician sentenced to 79 years in prison for sexually assaulting 31 children

A former Pennsylvania pediatrician has been sentenced to at least 79 years in prison for sexually assaulting 31 children, most of them patients, in a case that state medical regulators failed to act on nearly two decades ago. 

Dr. Johnnie Barto was sentenced on Monday on dozens of counts, including aggravated indecent assault and child endangerment. 

Prosecutors say he spent decades abusing boys and girls in the exam room at his pediatric practice in western Pennsylvania and at local hospitals, with his victims typically ranging in age from 8 to 12. One of Barto's victims was an infant.

Nineteen people gave victim impact statements, both in person and through a prosecutor, describing how Barto caused them to feel hopelessness and despair. It also caused depression and anxiety and instilled a fear of doctors.

Barto's wife, Linda Barto, was among them.

'He has been lying to me about everything for all of the 52 years I have known him. ... He spent his whole sinister life lying and sneaking around, so he could carry on his abuse uninterrupted,' she said. 

Dr. Johnnie Barto, 71, was sentenced to 79 years on Monday for sexually abusing 31 children in his pediatric practice in western Pennsylvania. He is pictured entering court on Monday

Dr. Johnnie Barto, 71, was sentenced to 79 years on Monday for sexually abusing 31 children in his pediatric practice in western Pennsylvania. He is pictured entering court on Monday

She said her heart was heavy for the victims.

The attorney general's office had asked for 31 to 62 years in prison.

Barto declined to make a statement.

He pleaded guilty in December to some counts and no contest to others. He has been jailed pending sentencing. 

Prosecutors say he spent decades abusing boys and girls in the exam room at his pediatric practice in western Pennsylvania and at local hospitals, with his victims typically ranging in age from 8 to 12

Prosecutors say he spent decades abusing boys and girls in the exam room at his pediatric practice in western Pennsylvania and at local hospitals, with his victims typically ranging in age from 8 to 12

His lawyer, David Weaver, has said Barto opted to enter pleas, so 'the healing could begin for his family, his victims and for himself.'

Authorities had a chance to stop Barto in 2000 when he appeared before the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine on administrative charges that he molested two young girls in the 1990s. 

But regulators threw out the case and allowed him to keep

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