The University of Michigan Board of Regents has ordered an external investigation into the case of a former pediatric resident accused of having child pornography.
In May of last year, a University of Michigan Hospital resident found child pornography on a computer in an employee lounge. She reported it to hospital security, but a hospital attorney -- who no longer works for the university -- did not pursue the case.
It wasn’t reported to police until six months later.
Steven Jenson, 36, is facing federal charges of receipt and possession of child pornography.
Anthony Dillof is an associate professor at Wayne State University Law School. He says the U-M Regents’ order for an external investigation was a smart decision.
"People are very aware that sort of thing happens, that there's an institutional potential for not responding in the appropriate way, and not responding quickly enough," Dillof says. "I think the regents wanted to do everything that could be done to assure that potential crime is appropriately investigated and where appropriate, reported to the police."
U-M President Mary Sue Coleman called the reporting delay “a serious failure.”
Jenson was released on the conditions that he not contact minor children, and use a computer only for job searches.
