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Child Abuse

Idaho doctor accused by 133 women pleaded guilty to abuse in 1996 Mormon case

September 6, 2026 at 8:03 PM MT · via FLOODLIT · Summarized by Mormon News from original reporting

Idaho doctor accused by 133 women pleaded guilty to abuse in 1996 Mormon case
Image via FLOODLIT

LaVar Withers, a Latter-day Saint physician in Rexburg, Idaho, was accused of sexually abusing at least 133 women and children—some as young as 13—over 30 years or more, according to case records documented by FLOODLIT. Withers admitted to sexual abuse and pleaded guilty in 1996 to a single count of misdemeanor battery, receiving 30 days in jail. According to the FLOODLIT case record, a stake president told at least one victim not to call police. Withers was a church member and practicing physician at the time of the alleged abuse. He died in 2005.

Read the full story at FLOODLIT

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