Arizona Dental Assistant Jailed 40 Years for Child Abuse

A former dental assistant, Deion Garcia, will serve 40 years in prison for sexually abusing minor patients at a children's dental office in Arizona. Garcia, 29, was sentenced after pleading guilty to charges including attempted molestation of a child and sexual conduct with a minor. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office confirmed the sentence and noted he will also serve lifetime supervised probation.

The investigation began in May 2024 when a parent reported Garcia for abuse at Kidiatric Dental & Orthodontics in Chandler. Investigators linked this to a September 2022 incident involving another child. Garcia's phone also contained inappropriate images of a 4-year-old victim who was under anesthesia during the abuse.

Adding to the case, Dr. Walter Villanueva, another employee at the dental office, was indicted for failing to report Garcia's abuse. He allegedly met with a victim's mother about the exam abuse but did not notify the police, violating mandatory reporting laws. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell emphasized Garcia's exploitation of trust and commended the law enforcement's work in securing justice for the victims.