Chandler dentist indicted for failing to report child abuse allegations about his assistant
Marcus Whitfield
Dr. Walter Villanueva faces criminal charges after authorities say he refused to report allegations that his dental assistant sexually abused a 6-year-old patient during a dental exam.
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office indicted Villanueva last month on one count of failing to report nonaccidental injuries and physical neglect of minors, a Class 6 felony.
A mother contacted Villanueva in September 2022 after her daughter reported that dental assistant Deion Garcia had molested her during a dental examination. Villanueva never reported the allegation to police or Arizona Department of Child Safety, prosecutors said.
Arizona law requires medical professionals to notify authorities about suspected child abuse. Villanueva failed to fulfill this obligation despite knowing about the allegation.
Garcia is being prosecuted for sexually abusing patients at Villanueva's pediatric dental practice in Chandler. He pleaded guilty to sexual conduct with a minor in April and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10.
The indictment came as part of the broader investigation into Garcia's conduct at the dental practice. Garcia was arrested in 2024 for allegedly abusing child patients at the practice where he worked as a dental assistant.
Arizona's mandatory reporting law applies to medical professionals, school personnel, law enforcement, religious leaders and anyone responsible for caring for children.