Public asked to help find man accused of posing as doctor, abusing children

HOUSTON – Officials asked for the public’s help Friday to find a man accused of pretending to be a doctor and abusing children.

Lee Smith III, 29, is wanted on charges of indecency with a child and sexual assault of a child.

Investigators said that on Aug. 1, 2017, Smith raped a 15-year-old girl in his apartment and then fondled an 8-year-old boy the same day.

The mother of those two victims made an emotional plea at a news conference about the case, begging for anyone who knows Smith to call authorities.

“Please don’t be scared, afraid or ashamed. We can protect the rest of Houston. The sooner we get him off the streets, the sooner we can save other people’s children,” she said. “Let’s do this.”

Police said they believe there are other victims as far back as 2007 involved in the case, and that Smith may have used the alias, Justin Lee Smith.

“You can change a name on a whim, but it's much more difficult to change a face, misshapen head, height or skin color,” said D. Yoon, with the Houston Police Department. 

VIDEO: Officials discuss the case

Neighbors said they remember Smith because he often wore hospital scrubs and a lab coat, and he tried to pass himself off as a pediatrician from time to time.

“It truly shows how cunning, devious, secretive and diabolical this particular predator is,” said Andy Kahan with Houston Crime Stoppers. 

Police said Smith is 6 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 210 pounds. The top of his head is deformed in a way that might give the illusion that he’s wearing his hair in braids, police said.

Anyone with information on Smith’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered in the case.


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