With child porn charges pending, NJ nurse surrenders license

EATONTOWN — A registered nurse has agreed to a "temporary suspension" of his license while facing child porn charges.

Richard Matthew Baine, 33, was arrested last month and charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child for distributing child pornography, and one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child for possessing child pornography.

At the time Gramiccioni said a forensic examination of computers and other electronic devices seized at Baine's home had images of child porn on them, as well "the use of a peer-to-peer file sharing program," that allowed the images to be shared.

"The exploitation of children, such as that alleged here, is one of the most serious crimes that can be committed," Porrino said. "When a nurse is facing these types of charges, the action taken by the Board is not only appropriate, but necessary."

Steve Lee, director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the state Attorney General's Office, said quick action was taken to get Baine to surrender his license after his arrest.

"It is important to maintain the integrity of the nursing profession, particularly in light of such serious charges," he said Tuesday. "Public safety and confidence depend on it."

Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino said Tuesday that the surrender is not an admission of liability and that there could be further restrictions depending on the outcome of the case.

"We must protect the public from those who refuse to live up to the moral standards demanded as a condition of their licensure," he said.

Baine is not currently employed as a nurse, and under the terms of his license surrender he will not be able to present himself as a nurse in the state until a further hearing with the Board of Nursing.

If convicted of the charges, Baine faces five to 10 years in prison on the second degree charge, and three to five years on the third degree charge.

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Contact reporter Adam Hochron at 609-359-5326 or Adam.Hochron@townsquaremedia.com