Former NBC medical correspondent Dr. Bruce Hensel, 71, won an Emmy and is on two years’ probation for asking his friend’s nine-year-old daughter for ‘sexually suggestive’ photos
- Former NBC medical correspondent Dr. Bruce Hensel has been sentenced to two years’ probation for soliciting “sexually suggestive” photos of a child
- Hensel, 71, pleaded not contesting allegations on Monday that he solicited nude photos of a friend’s daughter who was just nine years old
- He was arrested in 2019 when transcripts of his lyrics to the child were released
The former chief medical on-air correspondent for NBC was sentenced Monday to two years of probation on charges that he solicited a nine-year-old for “sexually suggestive” photos.
Dr. Bruce Hensel, 71, was arrested in 2019 after allegations surfaced that he texted a friend’s daughter and asked her for nude photos.
On Monday, the doctor pleaded not to contest the allegations, which included asking for nude photos of a minor.
Transcripts of the text messages submitted to the state medical board in 2022 showed Hensel asking for photos that were “sexy and private.”
‘Dr. Bruce, you have crossed the line and violated the vow of your profession, which is to do no harm,” the victim’s father said in court on Monday, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The former chief medical on-air correspondent for NBC was sentenced Monday to two years of probation on charges that he solicited a nine-year-old for “sexually suggestive” photos
Dr. Bruce Hensel, 71, was arrested in 2019 after allegations surfaced that he texted a friend’s daughter and asked her for nude photos
The doctor pleaded no allegations, including soliciting nude photos of a minor
Hensel apologized and spoke of his faith in court as he asked for forgiveness.
“I’m very sorry about what happened. I’ve done everything I can to understand this isolated thing,” Hensel said.
The doctor has repeated his claims that the incident was a one-off.
The victim’s father said at one point that Hensel had betrayed his calling in the medical profession, but that the family generally forgives him.
Acknowledging the work Hensel has done to improve and recover, the father expressed the hope that one day the doctor will be able to help people again as he did “as a doctor.”
Hensel eventually hugged the father after apologizing.
In their presentation to the Medical Board, officials said Hensel repeatedly texted the child between March and August 2019.
The doctor knew the young girl through her mother and discussed financing a movie starring the nine-year-old.
“I have always been good special friends and you feel safe with me so I will protect you and get you something,” Hensel wrote in 2019. “Maybe they can make you a star if you’re willing to take some risks.”
The doctor has repeated his claims that the incident was a one-off
“I’m very sorry about what happened. I did everything I could to understand this isolated thing,” Hensel said in court Monday
“I have always been good special friends and you feel safe with me, so I will protect you and get you something,” Hensel wrote in 2019, according to records
The judge eventually sentenced Hensel to two years of probation
In 2022, an NBC spokesperson called Hensel a “former employee,” but declined to say whether he was fired or resigned.
Hensel worked with the network for over 30 years and won several Emmys.
Last year, the Los Angeles Times reported that former Los Angeles County Dist. Attention. Steve Cooley had been brought in as the doctor’s adviser on the case.
Cooley told The Times he was simply hired as a policy expert.
At the time, the ex-district attorney was leading an effort to recall the Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón for being “soft on crime.”
