LA Area Dental Assistant Pleads Not Guilty To Molesting 15-Year-Old Patient
ROSEMEAD (CBSLA.com) — A Los Angeles area dental assistant pleaded not guilty to charges related to sexually molesting a 15-year-old patient during her visits to a Rosemead dentist's office
Saul Robles, who was arrested March 5, pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of committing a lewd act upon a child and one misdemeanor count of child molesting in connection to the alleged incidents at SmileCare Dental, which reportedly happened from June 2012 to Feb. 2013.
The suspect remains behind bars in lieu of $320,000 bail and is due back in court April 5.
Investigators said Robles would find reasons to take the girl to a private room where he would inappropriately touch her.
Law enforcement was notified about the reported sexual contact after the teenager told her mother and a teacher.
Robles, who has been a dental hygienist for six years, has worked at SmileCare Dental in Bellflower and Rosemead for the past four years.
Detectives are looking for other possible victims of Robles.
"Based on how he operated and behaved with his victim, it's possible there might be (others)," said Lt. Carlos Marquez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Victims Bureau.
In a statement Wednesday, SmileCare said the company was first told about the accusations by the sheriff's department.
"Prior to being notified by law enforcement, SmileCare had no knowledge of the allegations and is cooperating fully with authorities," the statement said. "We regard our patients' rights to privacy and professionalism as fundamental. We will continue to cooperate with law enforcement in its investigation."
Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call the L.A. County Sheriff's Department Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-5273 or email Specialvictims@lasd.org.
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