An Australian child psychiatrist accused of making child porn at an Edmonton mall is now facing a number of charges in Australia, where he has voluntarily given up his right to practise medicine.
Aaron Voon was arrested last month in Edmonton, after a father allegedly caught Voon videotaping his son using a urinal at the Scotiabank Theatre in West Edmonton Mall.
READ MORE: Edmonton theatre washroom incident results in child porn charges
Police charged the 41-year-old Australian man with possession of child pornography, making child pornography and voyeurism. Voon was released last week on $75,000 bail, given back his passport and allowed to return to Australia under a number of conditions.
His June 16 Edmonton hearing was adjourned to July 28.
READ MORE: Australian child psychiatrist Aaron Voon granted bail
Voon was arrested Thursday night when he arrived at the Perth airport. He was charged with ‘possessing child exploitation material.’
A joint news release from Western Australia Police and Australian Federal Police said investigators charged a 41-year old man from the Perth suburb of Mount Pleasant, as part of a joint anti-child exploitation team investigation.
Search warrants had been executed at Voon’s home and at a business where he worked with children.
“We worked very closely with the authorities in Perth, Australia, specifically the anti-child exploitation unit there, and in that capacity we have been sharing information back and forth with that law enforcement agency to let them know about what happened here,” ALERT Staff Sgt. Stephen Camp said.
“And subsequently that led to, on June 9, charges being laid on Mr. Voon in Perth, Australia.”
It’s alleged the man had possession of a number of images classified as child exploitation material. However, investigators said no link has been established between the material allegedly in his possession and the children he works with.
He made his first court appearance in Australia on Friday, where he was denied bail and not required to enter a plea. Detectives and a woman believed to be a family member or friend of Voon were in court to hear the proceedings. His lawyer made no comment outside court.
Voon was due back in the Perth Magistrates Court again Wednesday, June 15.
Voon was an award-winning, highly-sought after child psychiatrist with a three-month long waiting list, according to Australian news organization WAtoday. He ran the Successful Development and Therapy Centre in Perth. He’s treated hundreds of kids over the years.
Voon was known for specializing in treating prepubescent children with social, emotional and behavioural concerns and conditions including depression, anxiety, ADHD and autism. Initial appointments ranged from $750-$990 AUD ($707-$934 CAD) for 90 minutes and from $395-$445 AUD ($372-$420 CAD) for subsequent appointments.
Calls to his practice shortly after the West Edmonton Mall incident were answered by a recording saying that due to unforeseen circumstances, the clinic would be closed indefinitely.
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Australian psychiatrist granted bail -
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Australian child psychiatrist Aaron Voon granted bail -
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Parents react to charges laid against Australian child psychiatrist -
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ALERT investigating after Australian child psychiatrist charged with child porn offences -
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Australian child psychiatrist faces child porn charges in Edmonton -
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Australian child psychiatrist faces child porn charges in Edmonton
The families of Voon’s patients received an email from him after details of the alleged incident emerged.
“A most terrible thing has happened with me in the past week whilst overseas which I will need to manage urgently,” the email read. It also said Voon was ceasing practice immediately.
The email also stated, “I can honestly state that these issues have been TOTALLY separate from work and I have always provided you and your children with the best possible, safe and appropriate care.”
Voon has voluntarily given up his right to practise medicine, according to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The report said the Medical Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency released a statement saying Aaron Szen Voon agreed not to practise medicine until the board makes a decision on his future.
With files from Phil Heidenreich, Global News, and Emma Young, WAtoday
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