RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) -- An eye doctor was a no-show Monday for his first court appearance at Wake County Justice Center on child pornography charges following a year-long criminal investigation.

Dr. Andrew Cook waived his right to appear in court. The judge allowed him to remain free on a $100,000 bond.

“I think he needs prayers,” Cook’s next-door neighbor, Ronnie Bennett, said the 73-year-old Garner optometrist is not only facing 15 felony counts of 2nd degree sexual exploitation of a minor dating back to January 2024; but Bennett also said Cook is also facing life-threatening health problems.

Dr. Cook is accused of duplicating child pornography specifically photos of children as old as 14 and as young as 3 “engaged in sexual activity,” as outlined in his arrest warrant.

Garner and Ra

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