JOHNSTOWN, Pa.  — Nearly two decades ago, Pennsylvania Regulators were confronted with evidence that a well-regarded pediatrician had fondled the genitals of two small children during office visits. Instead of holding him accountable, regulators let the doctor keep his medical license. He went on to molest at least a dozen more young patients, victimizing children right up until the time of his arrest in January, prosecutors say.

Now, as Dr. Johnnie “Jack” Barto sits in jail awaiting trial on sexual assault charges involving more than 30 children, his 1990s-era patients and their parents say the state Board of Medicine failed to stop him when it had the chance and bears responsibility for what investigators are calling a “pervasive and prolonged pattern of abuse.” Police, prosecutors and Barto’s own colleagues also deserve blame for looking the other way, they say.

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