×
Monday, April 20, 2026

LVHN doctor at center of medical child abuse debate replaced as ... - LehighValleyNews.com

  • More than two dozen people criticized the doctor they said is behind false accusations of medical child abuse in the Lehigh Valley
  • Dr. Debra Esernio-Jenssen was replaced as the head of Lehigh Valley Health Network's child advocacy center this month, the health system announced Thursday night
  • Medical child abuse, formerly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, is when a caregiver induces or fakes an illness in the child they care for, usually for sympathy or attention.

EASTON, Pa. — A doctor at the center of protests regarding diagnoses of medical child abuse has been removed as head of Lehigh Valley Health Network's child advocacy center, it was revealed Thursday.

Dr. Debra Esernio-Jenssen, former leader of Lehigh Valley Health Network’s John Van Brackle Child Advocacy Center, officially was replaced this month by Dr. Sarah Kleinle, according to a statement.

Dr. Debra Esernio-Jenssen was replaced after “a nearly year-long national search.” Jenssen will continue to practice part time at other LVHN locations.
Lehigh Valley Health Network statement

The LVHN statement said Esernio-Jenssen was replaced after “a nearly year-long national search.” Jenssen will continue to practice part time at other LVHN locations, the health system said.

Without mentioning specific clinics or practitioners, the health network previously defended its employees and the criticism.

“Due to the sensitive nature of their work, physicians specializing in child protective medicine are often...



Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFodHRwczovL3d3dy5sZWhpZ2h2YWxsZXlu...