An Ohio doctor has died by suicide just days before he was due to appear in court on prostitution and trafficking charges involving a 16-year-old girl.
Prosecutors accused Francis J. Kearse III, 43, of West Chester, of leading girls into "sugar daddy" relationships. He was charged with compelling prostitution, compelling prostitution involving a minor, trafficking in persons, and importuning. The charges against him will now be dismissed.
On Tuesday, March 31, Kearse was set to stand at Hamilton County Common Pleas Court for his arraignment at 8: 30 a.m., however, Assistant Prosecutor Elyse Deters revealed that the defendant had taken his life. Kearse "escaped justice the hard way," Judge Christopher McDowell said in court on Tuesday.
According to the indictment against Kearse, he began communicating with the 16-year-old via Snapchat last year and gave her gift cards before telling her he needed "some kinda payback." The two met on October 19, and he gave her two vape pens and $15 in exchange for sex.
Kearse was arrested on March 11, and the judge released him on his own recognizance. His medical license remained active after his arrest, although he was clearly removed from his job with Baptist Health.
According to records from the Butler County Coroner's Office, Kearse died from a "gunshot wound" on Friday, March 27 at 5:43 p.m in Trenton. His manner of death was listed as a suicide.
