HOUSTON — Houston police are asking for the public’s help finding a suspected sexual predator who they say poses as a pediatrician.
Investigators made that plea Friday morning at CrimeStoppers headquarters.
They believe Lee Smith III sexually assaulted a 15-year-old and molested a 6-year-old on the 13100 block of Northborough Drive in Houston on August 1.
They also think Smith could be behind more assaults as far back as 2007.
“The fact that Smith dresses up as a medical professional to find his victims truly shows how cunning, devious, secretive, and diabolical this particular predator is,” said Andy Kahan, Director of Victims Services and Advocacy.
Sgt. L. Donovan of HPD said the agency has no confirmed reports of any sexual assaults occurring at local hospitals.
“(Smith) is dressing as a pediatrician, but to this point, we don’t have any confirmed reports at this time,” said Sgt. Donovan. “One of the reasons we’re doing this press conference is we just don’t know. So, if there (are) any incidences, we want them to come forward and talk to us at this time.”
The mother of the two victims from the August 1 incident, who asked to be identified only as Candy, spoke Friday at the press conference.
“I know that there are other victims out there,” she said. “I know that there are, and I’ve seen what my children have gone through. I almost lost my daughter.”
Candy pleaded with anyone with information to come forward.
“I don’t care if you’re his sister, his grandmother, his brother, his friend. I don’t care how you know him. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. My children didn’t deserve this. Nobody else’s children deserve this.” she said.
Police say Smith may also use the alias “Justin Lee Smith”.
They describe him as a black male, 29 years old (though at times he poses as an older man), with brown eyes and black hair, 6’6”, 210 lbs.
Investigators say Smith has a misshapen head “with the skin on the top of his head pushed together, making indentions, which can give the illusion of braids.”
There’s a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to Smith’s arrest. People can report that information anonymously here or by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477).