Lakeland employee pleads guilty to sex crime with minor

UPDATE 16-09-24 – An employee of Lakeland Behavioral Health has pleaded guilty to having an inappropriate sexual relationship with an underage patient on Friday, September 13.

Mark McMannamy was charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. He has pleaded guilty to both charges.

McMannamy’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 8, 2024.

Original story (18-01-24):

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri — A staff member at Lakeland Behavioral Health in Springfield is accused of sexually exploiting a minor who was a patient at the facility.

Mark McMannamy, 42, is accused of soliciting a 15-year-old patient to take multiple nude photos of himself with his phone earlier this month.

The probable cause affidavit stated that McMannamy offered the teen a vape pen in exchange for the photos and that he also made sexual advances.

The victim reported the incident to an employee and police were called. Investigators gathered enough evidence, including statements and security footage, to issue an arrest warrant for McMannamy. He was arrested at his home.

According to the probable cause affidavit, during the interview, McMannamy admitted to asking the victim for several nude photos. McMannamy said he went home after work and looked at the photos. He said he realized “I did something wrong” when he got home, so he deleted the photos. McMannamy said he was aroused by the photos and the idea that he was doing something he wasn’t supposed to be doing.

McMannamy also admitted to soliciting sexual favors.

When police asked how old the victim was, he said she was 15 years old.