Orthodontist Charged Again With Sexual Abuse
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A northwest suburban orthodontist has been charged for the second time with fondling a 13-year-old female patient.
Dr. Ernest Panos, 80, was ordered held on $200,000 bond Tuesday, charged with one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, according to Cook County State's Attorney's office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton.
Panos was originally charged on Aug. 11 with the same count, but prosecutors dropped the charge the next day, Simonton said. However, the investigation continued and further investigative work and evidence led to the new charge, she said.
The charge stems from an assault that allegedly happened at Panos' Chicago dental office in early August, when Panos was 79, a release from the Cook County State's Attorney's office said.
According to prosecutors, on Aug. 2, the 13-year-old victim, who wears braces, was driven by her mother to Panos' dental office at 4849 N. Milwaukee Ave. for an exam.
The girl was alone with Panos in an examination room when he allegedly told her she was "gorgeous and hot" and blew kisses at her, the release said. And while she was sitting in the chair, Panos allegedly pressed down on her breasts with his arms and fondled her for several minutes.
After leaving the office, the girl told her mother what happened, the release said.
Panos will appear for a preliminary hearing Dec. 13.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
