Indecent exposure charges dismissed for former Duke heart surgeon

Dr. Andrew James Lodge, a cardiovascular surgeon, is no longer employed by Duke University after appearing in court Wednesday to face three charges of indecent exposure. Lodge was arrested after he was connected to three incidents in June.

According to warrants, Lodge was arrested for exposing himself outside two different Target stores in Durham, as well as the parking lot of Southpoint Mall.

Lodge is a nationally renowned doctor, who gained acclaim when he performed "open heart surgery" on the American Girl doll of a patient, giving the 5-year-old girl a plaything that looked more like her, down to the scars. He was also awarded the Duke Presidential Award "for distinguished service to Duke University."

He appeared in court this morning with his defense attorney Cole Williams. The prosecutor agreed to a “deferred prosecution." This means if he goes through a psychiatric assessment and treatment, the court may dismiss all charges in six months.

His next court date is February 2, 2022. He has to pay $183 in court costs and the state must notify all of the victims of the situation.

Local shoppers who frequent Target mentioned on Lodge's warrants are unnerved by the news.

"I'm a friendly person, so if people come up to me, I'm kind of friendly to them," said Janice Scurlock, who shops at Target. "If he had come up to me I probably would have freaked out."

Another shopper, Ellen Clements, said, "I generally like to park a little bit closer to the store, but they were very busy today. I always feel a little bit uncomfortable when I'm down in this area by myself in this day and age."