Dental assistant accused of abusing pediatric patients

A dental assistant was arrested for allegedly inappropriately touching and taking images of undressed pediatric patients during dental x-ray exams at a practice in Arizona, according to multiple news reports.

Deion Alexander Garcia. Image courtesy of Maricopa County's Sheriff's Office.

Deion Alexander Garcia, 27, was arrested on May 10 as he was leaving his place of employment, Kidiatric Dental and Orthodontics in Gilbert, AZ. He was charged with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and five counts of child molestation, though police have said it is not known the number of children Garcia allegedly may have victimized, according to reports.

On May 8, the parents of a 6-year-old girl reported to police that their daughter told them Garcia allegedly touched her and took photos of her during her dental appointment at Kidiatric.

Garcia reportedly told the girl that the dental staff liked to bring 6-year-olds to a different room to examine their teeth. He allegedly took her to a different room and instructed the mother to stay with the girl's younger sister. Once Garcia was reportedly alone with the girl in another room, he allegedly told the girl to stand forward and started touching her inappropriately. Also, Garcia is accused of taking photos of the exposed 6-year-old.

During his interview with police, Garcia denied touching the girl and taking photos of her. He alleged that the office was monitored via video surveillance during the time of purported assault.

A search of Garcia's phone revealed 10 photos of the 6-year-old girl and an unknown 4-year-old child. Garcia reportedly refused to give authorities the password to his phone. Therefore, police continue to work to find more photo evidence and additional victims, according to reports.

This is not the first time a child has accused Garcia of inappropriate contact.

In 2022, while Garcia was working at Kidiatric's practice in Chandler, AZ, a 6-year-old girl reportedly told her parents that the dental assistant touched her inappropriately during her x-ray exam. The parents told police that their daughter purportedly acted differently after Garcia took her x-rays, and she allegedly said she never wanted to go back there again, according to reports.

The girl was interviewed by authorities, but no DNA evidence linked Garcia to these claims and the investigation was closed due to a lack of evidence.