Merced pediatrician pleads not guilty in porn case

A Merced pediatrician accused of planting a camera in a patient restroom in a local clinic was taken back into custody Monday after his bail was raised during a Superior Court hearing.

Carlos Teran Miranda, 35, pleaded not guilty to counts of possession of child pornography and unauthorized invasion of privacy. Teran Miranda entered his plea at Merced Superior Court before Judge David W. Moranda, who raised his bail to $475,000.

The pediatrician was accompanied by his wife and defense attorney Thomas Fleming.

Fleming said he would ask for the bail to be reduced at the preliminary hearing, set for May 26.

The pediatrician was initially arrested on the morning of Feb. 3 and was released later that day after posting a $25,000 bail bond.

The investigation began after police responded Jan. 30 to the Golden Valley Health Centers at 737 W. Childs Ave., Suite C, in Merced to investigate a report of a hidden camera discovered inside a floral arrangement placed on the back of a toilet.

The camera’s memory card contained video footage that showed the pediatrician, identified by his name tag, setting up the camera in the restroom, according to search warrant affidavits. The camera’s memory card also contained video clips of a female adult and three children using the toilet.

Teran Miranda surrendered his Bolivian passport on April 1 during his first court appearance.

If convicted, Teran Miranda would have to register as a sex offender and would face up to three years in state prison, according to the Merced County District Attorney’s Office.

This story was originally published May 11, 2015 at 1:39 PM with the headline "Merced pediatrician pleads not guilty in porn case."