Sandy Springs doctor pursued on more molestation charges

Update: A recently convicted Sandy Springs doctor may face more charges involving exploitation of children because of four sexually suggestive photos that were found on his computer laptop, according to a warrant taken out by DeKalb police.

The charges paralleled an investigation by Sandy Springs police in which Dr. Kelly Burton Thrasher pleaded guilty to earlier this week, said Capt. Steve Fore of DeKalb police.

The detective who took out a warrant against Thrasher on July 24 for sexual exploitation of children will be sending his files to the district attorney for possible prosecution, Fore said.

He noted Thrasher pleaded guilty Monday to related charges in Fulton County and received a 25-year sentence. DeKalb charges could be served consecutively or at the same time as the Fulton conviction if Thrasher pleads guilty or is convicted.

The case involved a 5-year-old child, Fore said. The warrant indicated the photographs were taken at a home in Tucker between May 10-11. The victim was the child of a former employee of Thrasher and appeared to be asleep when the pictures were taken, according to the warrant.

Original Report: DeKalb County police said Thursday that they are also seeking to prosecute a Sandy Springs doctor recently convicted of child molestation in Fulton County.

“A warrant charging sexual exploitation of children was taken out on Kelly Thrasher in DeKalb County,” said Capt. Steve Fore in an email to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. More details on the warrant was not immediately available.

Thrasher, 41, pleaded guilty Monday to assaulting a girl and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He was convicted in the November 2012 assault of a girl at a sleepover at his home, and pleaded guilty to child molestation and aggravated sexual battery. Thrasher also pleaded guilty to charges of identity fraud, forgery in the first degree and forgery in the second degree for obtaining a false passport, the Fulton County District Attorney's Office said.

Thrasher was arrested Jan. 24, 2013, after his release from the Ridgeview Medical Center, where he entered himself after detectives initiated a criminal investigation into the molestation complaint, according to police.