Pediatric dental practice, assistant sued over alleged assault

A dental assistant accused of inappropriately touching and taking images of undressed pediatric patients during dental x-ray exams at a practice in Arizona is being sued along with his former employer, according to multiple news reports.

One of the victims' families filed the lawsuit on October 15 against Deion Garcia and Kidiatric Dental and Orthodontics in Gilbert, AZ. Garcia, 27, has been in jail since he was arrested in May while leaving the dental practice. Garcia, who was charged with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and five counts of child molestation, is set to go to trial in January, according to reports.

The attorney for one of the victims believes Kidiatric Dental was "negligent" and that the practice and Garcia should be held accountable for their actions, according to reports.

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

In May, the parents of a 6-year-old girl reported to police that their daughter told them that 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 escorted her to a room and instructed the mother to stay with the girl's younger sister. Once Garcia was purportedly 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 the 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.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.