Details emerge in case of pediatrician suspected of videotaping patients in restroom

New details emerged Monday in the case of a Merced pediatrician suspected of placing a video camera in a clinic’s unisex bathroom, with footage allegedly showing him setting up the device.

The information about the camera footage is listed in search warrant affidavits obtained by the Merced Sun-Star. The warrants were served last week at both the residence and office of Dr. Carlos Teran Miranda, who had worked at Golden Valley Health Centers’ pediatric unit since 2013. Teran Miranda, 35, was arrested last week on suspicion of planting the camera in the bathroom of the clinic, located at 737 W. Childs Ave., Suite C, and possessing child pornography.

According to copies of the affidavits, the camera contained five video clips, including one that shows Teran Miranda placing the camera on the back of a toilet. The memory card in the camcorder contained four other video clips that showed children and a female adult using the toilet.

The affidavit shows that Merced police seized laptops, cameras, cellphones and tablets from Teran Miranda’s San Simeon Court residence, along with a lab coat, photo identification and stethoscope from his office.

Merced police on Monday said the case hasn’t been submitted to the Merced County District Attorney’s Office, as investigators are still waiting on additional victims and witnesses to come forward. “As soon as we take care of that, we can move forward,” Capt. Tom Trindad said.

According to the affidavit, the first video is dated “12/31/2100” and shows Teran Miranda, who is identified by his name tag, setting up the camera in the restroom. Trindad said the time stamp on the video is off, so it is hard to tell how long the camcorder had been in the restroom.

“To my understanding the time stamp is not accurate,” Trindad said. When the first video was shot is to be determined by a forensic investigation.

A second video shows a female Golden Valley Health Centers employee “pulling her pants down.” The third video clip shows a girl about 5 or 6 as she prepares to use the toilet. In the fourth video, a boy about 5 or 6 is shown standing, facing the camera and using the toilet. The last video shows a boy between 3 and 5, also standing in front of the camera and using the toilet. This last video clip also shows when the camera is discovered by a woman.

The camera was obtained after police responded to the clinic on Jan. 30 to investigate a report of a hidden camera, discovered inside a flower arrangement placed on the back of a toilet. The report states the woman found the camera after inspecting the flower arrangement because “it didn’t seem right.” After pulling at the arrangement, she found the camera attached to a flower.

The camera is identified as a black video device made by Muvi. Although the model is not given in the affidavit, Muvi makes cameras as small as 2 inches high, according to its website.

News of the allegations has angered many parents who took their children to see Teran Miranda. One woman, who has three children who were patients of Teran Miranda, said the new details are frightening, particularly because children were allegedly filmed.

The woman asked to remain anonymous. “Like most parents, I am very protective of my children,” she said. “I feel terrible that I entrusted my children to him; I feel like I put my kids in harm’s way. This man should not be allowed anywhere near kids.”

A California Medical Board spokeswoman said in cases such as Teran Miranda’s, the board works with law enforcement and starts its own investigation to determine whether the physician should be allowed to continue practicing.

Teran Miranda was booked into the Merced County jail last Tuesday and released later that day after posting $25,000 bail. Efforts to reach Teran Miranda have been unsuccessful.

This story was originally published February 9, 2015 at 6:35 PM with the headline "Details emerge in case of pediatrician suspected of videotaping patients in restroom."