Spokane social worker’s license restricted following allegations of child porn possession

Washington health officials restricted on Tuesday the license of an independent clinical social worker who practiced in Spokane following allegations he possessed child porn.

Two unique Internet addresses issued to a user who uploaded child porn images online led law enforcement to the Coeur d’Alene home of David A. O’Shea, according to state health department documents. Police then searched the home in June and found child porn on O’Shea’s computer.

O’Shea has not been formally charged with a crime, according to Idaho court records.

He at one point worked at Family Service Spokane on Howard Street downtown, which merged with Spokane Mental Health to form Frontier Behavioral Health in 2011. It is unclear where – or if – he is currently practicing, but he is no longer affiliated with Frontier.

O’Shea has had an independent clinical social working license in Washington since 2014, according to state health department records.

Independent clinical social workers specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of emotional and mental disorders, according to the state health department. They can treat individuals, couples, families and groups of people, and must have 4,000 hours of experience before they are licensed.

O’Shea is barred from working with minors and vulnerable adults pending further disciplinary and legal action, according to the state health department.