Former Boston Children’s anesthesiologist gets 22 years for child exploitation offenses

A former Boston Children’s anesthesiologist was sentenced to 22 years in prison on Tuesday for child pornography and other child exploitation charges, prosecutors announced.

Christopher Sheerer, 37, was arrested in July 2024 and pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography, and one count of sexual exploitation of children in September 2025, the office of the U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, Leah Foley, said in a press release.

At the time of his arrest, Sheerer was a pediatric cardiac anesthesiology fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital and previously worked in pediatric anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins University, Foley’s officer said.

Sheerer was arrested after officials investigated a user of an encrypted online child pornography group back in May prosecutors said. 

Upon searching Sheerer’s home, investigators found multiple pictures and videos of sexually exploited children and dozens of encrypted chats of child pornography, including several of a child known to Sheerer. Some of the victims are as young as infants, Foley’s office said.

“Today’s sentence reflects the devastating harm these crimes inflict on real children and sends a clear message that those who fuel this abuse will face severe consequences. Our office will continue to work tirelessly to protect children, pursue justice for victims, and hold offenders fully accountable,” Foley said. 

Sheerer is ordered to pay $65,722 in restitution, and an additional amount will be decided in a hearing on March 26, Foley’s office said.