Accused doctor dies in jail

Pennsburg pediatrician was charged with possessing child porn

LOWER PROVIDENCE >> A Pennsburg pediatrician accused of possessing child pornography died over the weekend at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Lower Providence where he was being held on high bail pending his initial court hearing.

Dr. David Shawn Kennedy, 48, was pronounced dead at the jail at about 3:30 a.m. Dec. 18, according to Lorie Slass, county director of communications. As is customary, Slass said, the county detectives are handling the investigation.

It’s routine for county detectives to investigate all deaths that occur at the jail.

Julio M. Algarin, warden at the county jail, also referred all questions to the district attorney’s office.

Kate Delano, spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office, would only confirm Kennedy’s death and that detectives are investigating. County officials had no further comment at this time.

An official from the county coroner’s office said an autopsy on Kennedy was completed on Sunday. First Deputy Coroner Alexander Balacki said officials are awaiting the results of toxicology tests before issuing an official cause and manner of death for Kennedy.

“We’re working closely with the district attorney’s office,” Balacki said, adding it can take between three and five weeks for toxicology tests to be completed.

Officials have not revealed under what circumstances Kennedy’s death was discovered at the jail.

Kennedy, who was the owner and supervising physician at Personal Care Pe-