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B-N Doctor Accused Of Sexual Assault Wants Records Sealed

Dr. Shaun Kink
Bloomington Police

A former Bloomington doctor accused of sexually assaulting a patient asked a judge Tuesday to seal court records related to the testimony of other potential victims the state may try to introduce at his trial.

Dr. Shaun Kink, 37, is charged with sexual assault and abuse of a person with a physical disability. He is accused of showing up unannounced at the home of the alleged victim, who was his patient, in 2019.

Defense lawyer Peter Wise said his response to the state's motion on other alleged misconduct contains information that would impact Kink's right to a fair trial.

“We all want a jury pool that's a blank slate as much as we can have,” Wise told Judge Casey Costigan.

The judge agreed to review the defense documents before ruling on whether the information will remain confidential.

Prosecutor Mary Koll took no position on the request, adding that she understands defense concerns, but knows of no legal authority to seal the documents.

The judge also approved a media request to videotape, record and take photos during proceedings in Kink's case.

Kink previously worked as a foot and ankle specialist at McLean County Orthopedics. After his arrest, Kink was dropped by the physicians’ group and his privileges were suspended by Carle BroMenn Medical Center and OSF St. Joseph Medical Center. His state medical license also has been suspended.

An April 14 hearing is set on a state motion to use evidence collected from Kink's cell phone.

A pending lawsuit filed in McLean County court by the woman identified as Jane Doe seeks damages against Carle, Advocate BroMenn and the medical group. According to the lawsuit, Kink performed surgery on the woman during a 7-week hospital stay related to a dog bite.

Kink “repeatedly sexually abused Jane Doe in her hospital room and for weeks during her rehabilitation,” according to a statement released by her lawyers with the Indianapolis firm of Cohen & Malad. The abuse continued in her home, said the woman’s lawyers, “while she remained immobile and incapacitated.”

The lawsuit accuses the facilities of failing to protect the alleged victim “from exploitation, neglect, and abuse while she was a patient at the hospital.”

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Edith began her career as a reporter with The DeWitt County Observer, a weekly newspaper in Clinton. From 2007 to June 2019, Edith covered crime and legal issues for The Pantagraph, a daily newspaper in Bloomington, Illinois. She previously worked as a correspondent for The Pantagraph covering courts and local government issues in central Illinois.
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