Last updated Monday, Oct. 27
An Anchorage doctor has been suspended of all privileges from Providence Alaska Medical Center after he was charged with sexually abusing children.
On July 31, it was reported to Alaska State Troopers’ Child Abuse Investigation Unit that a 12-year-old had been “touched inappropriately” by Clifford Merchant, 67, at his property in the Mat-Su Valley, according to an online AST dispatch.
Interviews were then conducted at the Children’s Place in Wasilla. The interviews resulted in a disclosure of abuse, troopers say. Further investigation revealed there were two other victims, both younger than 13 years old, at the time of the offenses, according to court documents.
The alleged crimes took place around 2001-2003, 2007-2009 and 2013 at Merchant’s Anchorage home and Shell Lake cabin, the charges say. The victims were as young as 7 years old, according to AST.
On Thursday, Oct. 23, Merchant was indicted on 12 counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor and three counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor, according to court documents.
Providence spokesman Mike Canfield says Merchant was a physician who had privileges to see patients at the hospital, but he is not a Providence employee. In an email, Canfield says Merchant worked in the hospital’s emergency department. He says the hospital took immediate action after learning of the case.
Friday, an arrest warrant was issued for Merchant for $500,000 cash bail and court-approved third party. The doctor was arrested on Saturday by Alaska State Troopers and Anchorage Airport Police, where he was taken to Anchorage Correctional Facility. Merchant appeared in court on Sunday.
Canfield says Providence is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation and will notify the Alaska State Medical Board. A statement from Providence also reported that the hospital will work with law enforcement agencies to determine whether a process for identifying other potential victims is appropriate.