Chandler dental assistant charged with sexual abuse of underage patients

PHOENIX — A Maricopa County grand jury has indicted Deion Alexander Garcia on charges of sexually abusing young female dentist patients while performing X-ray examinations, officials announced Thursday.

Garcia, dental assistant at Kidiatric Dentistry & orthodontic practice near Chandler Heights Road and Arizona Avenue, was charged with child abuse, a second-degree felony, and dangerous crimes against children.

The 27-year-old was also charged with eleven counts of sexual exploitation of minors, a second-degree felony, and a dangerous crime against children.

“Child abuse at the hands of a trusted adult is every parent’s worst nightmare,” District Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a press release. “The three victims in this case have been left with lifelong scars and we must now seek justice for them to the fullest extent of the law.”

In early May, Chandler Police received a report from the parents of a six-year-old child who told them that Garcia had touched him inappropriately during his visit to the dentist.

Garcia’s previous cases of sexual abuse in dental practices

Police linked the incident to another 2022 case involving Garcia and another 6-year-old girl. Authorities said investigators also found pictures on Garcia’s phone of a 4-year-old victim who was under anesthesia at the time of the abuse.

Garcia also worked in a children’s hospital Dentistry & orthodontic practice near Warner and Gilbert Road.

Anyone who believes their child may be a victim should call the Chandler Sex Crimes Unit at 480-782-4494.

Garcia’s trial is scheduled for September 19, 2024.