A former pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital has pleaded guilty to charges related to child sexual abuse material. Christopher Sheerer, 37, of Boston, admitted guilt to one count each of distribution of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and sexual exploitation of children. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for December 18, 2025. Sheerer was arrested in July 2024 and has been held in federal custody since then.
Sheerer previously worked as a fellow in pediatric anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore before his time at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Authorities began investigating Sheerer in May 2024 after identifying a user on an encrypted chat application involved with a group described as a place for “dads, uncles, and babysitters” to communicate and share material. Prospective members were required to upload explicit images of children under 13 alongside a handwritten sign with the group’s name for verification purposes. Investigators traced the user back to Sheerer through an IP address linked to Johns Hopkins University. He uploaded imagery involving a child known to him for group admission.
A search conducted at Sheerer’s Boston residence led to the discovery of multiple chats on his phone containing images and videos that appeared to be child sexual abuse material involving young children and infants. Devices including his phone, tablet, and computers were seized for forensic analysis. Authorities found evidence that Sheerer participated in numerous chats exchanging such materials and located several pornographic images created in 2023 involving the same child known to him.
The charge of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to 20 years in prison, supervised release from five years up to life, and fines up to $250,000. Possession can result in up to 20 years imprisonment with similar terms for supervised release and fines. Sexual exploitation carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years up to 30 years imprisonment along with potential lifetime supervision and fines up to $250,000. Sentencing will follow federal guidelines set by statute.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the plea alongside Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations New England: “Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Districts of Maryland and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Homeland Security Investigations in Baltimore and Harrisburg; and the Boston Police Department.” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Soto and Anne Paruti are prosecuting the case.
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006—to combat child sexual exploitation by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies nationwide (https://www.justice.gov/psc).
