LEBANON — A Lebanon pediatrician was sentenced Thursday to 19-years in prison and 4-years of probation for molesting children in his care.
A Boone County judge sentenced Jonathon Cavins on five criminal felony counts including child molesting, sexual misconduct with a minor and child seduction.
Cavins molested patients during examinations including touching them after he put condoms on them.
Prosecutor Kent Eastwood said no amount of time in prison can ever be enough for what Cavins did to young boys.
“We are thankful that the boys showed such strength and courage in coming forward to tell their story of abuse,” said Eastwood. “By doing so, Lebanon Police Department Detectives and members of the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office were able to obtain this important conviction on their behalf and on behalf of Our Community. We pray that this will serve as a beacon for other victims of sexual abuse to come forward to have their voices heard.”
He had faced up to 35 years behind bars.
Call 6 Investigates spoke with the parents of one of Cavins’ victims who testified in court.
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They are happy with the 19 year sentence.
“We are extremely happy and relieved that this monster will not be able to harm any more children. As always, we are beyond proud of our son and the other boys for their courage in coming forward. We are looking forward to moving on.”
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The family RTV6 spoke with says their son was one of five patients who testified against Cavins.
They want Cavins to do the maximum behind bars.
They say their son has a long road ahead, but the guilty verdict is helping him heal.
"He's relieved they found him guilty and he's not going to hurt another kid,” said the mom. “That's huge, and that's why he spoke out is he wanted to make sure this doesn't happen to another child."
“He just looks a lot lighter, and he doesn’t have that stress and tension building up inside,” said the father. “The truth is the truth. It didn’t matter that he was a doctor.”
Boone County prosecutor Kent Eastwood told RTV6 the credit for the verdict goes to the former patients who spoke up.
“The true heroes of this story are those young boys who came forward to share their stories of sexual abuse,” Eastwood said in an email to RTV6. “The strength and courage they showed — we pray that this will serve as a beacon for other victims of sexual abuse to come forward."
Cavins’ attorney declined to comment on the verdict.
His medical license is currently suspended, and the medical licensing board is expected to take further action.
