A local doctor is charged with statutory sodomy, accused of having deviate sexual intercourse with a child less than 14 years old.
The charge against Jonathan Philippe, age 40, of Platte City, was filed on April 4. Philippe is a medical doctor who until November had practiced at the Saint Luke’s Multispecialty Clinic in Platte City. He most recently had been working for Mosaic Lifecare.
Court documents detail accusations against Philippe upon a child victim whose father had allowed her to stay with the Philippe family. The alleged incidents took place in the Philippe home, which is located in a subdivision in unincorporated Platte County south of the city limits of Platte City.
Allegations against Philippe stemmed from an incident in which he had given the victim a $20 bill for “passing his test,” according to court documents. Philippe’s wife had asked the victim about where the money had come from, as it was not normal for the victim to have cash in hand since the Philippes provided for the victim’s needs and didn’t regularly hand cash to the child.
In conversations with adults in the home, the victim disclosed several instances of molestation, including instances where Philippe allegedly rubbed the victim’s body parts and allegedly forced his body parts upon the victim.
According to court documents, investigators were furnished a photo of what appears to be semen on clothing or bedding, with the semen allegedly being Philippe’s. Investigators were also given two audio recordings in which the victim had described acts alleged to have been done by Philippe.
According to court documents, in an interview with the children’s division of Missouri Department of Social Services, the victim told investigators that Philippe had told the victim the alleged acts were all a “test” and if someone else tries to do this to the victim she needs to do what she did, referring to her saying “no.”
The victim told authorities that the incidents had begun when the victim “was about 12 or 13 years old,” according to court documents.
According to court documents, when police arrived at the Philippe house on April 3, Philippe was gone, but he called the victim asking if the victim had told anyone about what happened, saying the victim “was going to ruin a lot of lives” if anyone had been told.
It is alleged in court documents that Philippe then asked the victim to tell the police there was no abuse so they would “go home.”
On April 3, a detective attempted to contact Philippe concerning his involvement in the case but Philippe did not return the detective’s phone call. According to court papers, the detective discovered Philippe would be working in the Bethany area over the weekend. The detective drove to Bethany intending to interview Philippe at his place of employment. A short time before the detective arrived, Philippe called the detective, according to court documents. Philippe was asked if he would talk about his side of the events in the case, and Philippe then stated he would like to consult an attorney.
Court documents indicate Philippe has no prior involvement with the Platte County Sheriff’s Department, outside of traffic citations.
In court documents, investigators describe Philippe as “a clear danger to the crime victim and society.” Investigators allege“Philippe has no concern or regard for the safety and well being of the child victim and with his position as a doctor in the community could easily prey upon another child victim in the future.”
Court documents describe Philippe as “a traveling doctor who has ties to Haiti, travels there frequently and does mission work, especially with an orphanage in Haiti.”
Court documents go on to allege that “Philippe is a flight risk due to his frequent travel and quick ability to leave the country.”
On April 4 a warrant was issued for the arrest of Philippe, with his bond set at $100,000 cash only. By April 6 he was in custody and making a court appearance via video while in custody.
His attorney had requested a hearing on a bond reduction request. That bond reduction hearing was scheduled for April 14. But on Friday, April 10, Philippe posted the $100,000 cash bond.
Terms of bond included surrendering his passport prior to his release.
He is to have no contact with the victim and no contact with the current residence of the victim.
His next court appearance is scheduled for May 26.