A Chandler dentist, Walter Villanueva, has been indicted for failing to report the abuse of a child patient at his dental practice.
According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, in September 2022, the victim’s mother called and met Walter Villanueva after her 6-year-old daughter told her that dental assistant, Deion Garcia, had abused her during a dental exam. Villanueva did not report the abuse to the police after the meeting.
Under Arizona’s Mandatory Reporting law, as a medical professional, Villanueva was required to immediately make a report of the suspected abuse to law enforcement or the Arizona Department of Child Safety.
Villanueva has been indicted on one count of Failure to Report Nonaccidental Injuries and Physical Neglect of Minors, a Class Six Felony.
In May 2024, dental assistant Deion Garcia was indicted on multiple felony counts including Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.
Garcia’s sentencing is tentatively scheduled for June 10, 2026.
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