An Ohio doctor who posed as a “sugar daddy” online, paying teen girls with vape pens and petty cash in exchange for sex, was found dead days before he was to be arraigned for the heinous crimes.

Francis J. Kearse III, 43, died from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound in the 5400 block of Howe Road in Trenton, Ohio, a rural city halfway between Dayton and Cincinnati, just before 6 p.m. on March 27.

Kearse III, an emergency medicine specialist, was due in court for his arraignment in Hamilton County on Tuesday for charges involving his alleged sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl, WXIX reported.

“(He) escaped justice the hard way,” Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher McDowell told the court Tuesday morning after the suspected pervert’s death was announced.
Francis Kearse was found dead in Trenton, Ohio, on March 27, days before his arraignment for prostitution of a minor on March 31, 2026.Francis Kearse was found dead in Trenton, Ohio, on March 27, days before his arraignment for prostitution of a minor on March 31, 2026.HCSO

Kearse was accused of using Snapchat to talk to young girls, marketing himself as a “sugar daddy” where he would spark a relationship with them before soliciting sex, the outlet reported.

The predatory doctor sent gift cards to at least one 16-year-old before urging “some kinda payback” leading to the two meeting up in October in what officials called “sexual activity for hire.”

Kearse allegedly gave two vape pens and $15 in exchange for sex with the girl.

Kearse was indicted by a grand jury on charges including compelling prostitution, compelling prostitution involving a minor, trafficking in persons, and importuning, according to court records viewed by The Post.

The age of consent in Ohio is 16, and rape in the Buckeye State is only defined as non-consensual sex or any sex with minors under 13.

Kearse was arrested on March 11 but released on his own recognizance bond to appear in court for his arraignment scheduled for Tuesday.

He was ordered to stay off social media as part of his bond conditions.

Kearse remained free up to his death while both McDowell and the county prosecutor wanted the doctor to remain behind bars, WXIX reported.

McDowell ordered Kearse to be re-arrested after learning of his cashless bond.

Butler County law enforcement officials had been given the green light to capture Kearse when they received the news of his death.

“We had just received the investigation from law enforcement to proceed and were almost immediately notified of the death,” Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser told the outlet.

Kearse was facing charges in Butler County at the time of his death.