Disgraced Ex-MSU Sports Doc May Lose Custody Of Kids

Larry Nassar, the former Michigan State University sports medicine doctor accused of sexual assault by nearly 100 women and girls, could be stripped of his parental rights under a petition filed in Ingham County Court by child welfare workers in Michigan.

Nassar, who served as a team physician for the U.S. gymnastics team through four Olympic games, has been charged with 28 criminal offenses in state and federal courts. The charges include 25 sexual assault charges — all but three of them related to his role as a doctor — and federal pornography charges.
Nassar, 53, of Holt, is being held without bond.

Nassar’s estranged wife, currently has sole custody of the couple’s children, which makes the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Child Protective Services petition for termination of parental rights unnecessary, her attorney argued, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Shannon Smith, the disgraced doctor’s attorney, said Nassar isn’t accused of abusing his own children and there’s “absolutely nothing” in the documents to suggest he did.

Chief Attorney Referee Megan Mertens found probable cause, ruling there could be risk to the children in the future, and allowed the petition to be filed. Among the evidence cited in the hearing was an FBI agent’s testimony that videos seized from Nassar’s home showed him sexully assaulting young girls in or near a pool.

(Photo of Larry Nassar video arraignment by David Eggert/AP)