West Virginia University said yesterday it is poring over a faculty physician's personnel files after learning of reports that he was detained in Guatemala on suspicion of molesting children.

Two Guatemalan newspapers reported last week that Dr. Joshua T. Kotouc was taken into custody during a police raid of a home following complaints by villagers.

It is not clear what Dr. Kotouc, 33, was doing in Guatemala, how long he has been there or whether he has been charged. He is on paid leave from WVU.

"The information coming out of Guatemala is sketchy and of uncertain reliability. Therefore there are limits to what we can say or do at this time. The nature of the reports naturally causes us concern," said Amy Johns, a West Virginia University Hospitals spokeswoman.

Dr. Kotouc joined WVU's Department of Emergency Medicine in September 2007. He saw patients at hospitals in Morgantown, Clarksburg and Ransom.

Ms. Johns said WVU first learned of a problem with Dr. Kotouc when his father called a supervisor in the emergency medicine department earlier this month to say his son had been injured and would not be able to show up for work.

The university is aware of Dr. Kotouc's involvement with police only from press accounts in Guatemala, Ms. Johns said.

She confirmed, however, that the person mentioned in the newspaper reports is the same doctor who is on faculty.

"He was on his own personal days off during his time in Guatemala. He is on leave and not scheduled to work at any time in the near future. We will continue to monitor the situation and act in the best interests of our patients," Ms. Johns said.

Meanwhile, WVU is checking Dr. Kotouc's records, looking for anything untoward that might have involved him.

"We have reviewed his files. No patients have complained about inappropriate sexual behavior," Ms. Johns said. "It's a normal routine check of personnel files. We are checking to see if there is anything, and so far we have found there are no complaints about inappropriate sexual behavior."

Accounts in Prensa Libre and La Hora in Guatemala said residents in the town where Dr. Kotouc was staying became suspicious because of signs posted on his house inviting children to enjoy "fun and games."

The press accounts said four children from 10 to 13 years old were found at the residence when police arrived.

Newspapers reported that Dr. Kotouc cut his own neck with a scalpel and had to be treated at a hospital.

Dr. Kotouc's father, Tom Kotouc of Montgomery, Ala., last night said he had traveled to Guatemala last week and has visited his son daily at the hospital.

"He's recovering from his injuries," Mr. Kotouc said. "He's improving, but he's still seeing double."

Mr. Kotouc, an attorney, said he learned of his son's situation when he was contacted by the U.S. Embassy. He has hired a Guatemalan attorney who was recommended to him by a former classmate at Harvard.

"I'm just learning about Guatemala law. I'm not sure what the next step is," said Mr. Kotouc, who confirmed that a complaint had been filed against his son. "This has been a very moving experience for [my son], and I'd ask people to pray for him."

A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala could not be reached for comment.