An Arizona dental assistant has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for sexually abusing several minor patients during X-ray procedures at a pediatric dental clinic. Deion Garcia, 29, received his sentence after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges, including attempted child molestation and sexual conduct with a minor, as announced by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in a news release on Friday, July 17.
In addition to his prison sentence, Garcia will be subject to lifetime supervised probation. The investigation into his actions began in May 2024, following a report from a parent who accused him of sexual abuse while he was employed at a children’s dental office in Chandler, Arizona.
The Chandler dental office, now identified as Kidiatric Dental & Orthodontics, was where Garcia allegedly committed these acts, according to Arizona’s Family. A parent reported to Chandler police that Garcia had inappropriately touched their 6-year-old daughter and took inappropriate photos during an X-ray exam, as detailed by the attorney’s office.
The investigation linked this incident to a previous one in September 2022, where another 6-year-old patient was reportedly abused during an X-ray procedure. Additionally, investigators found multiple inappropriate images of a 4-year-old on Garcia’s phone, with the child allegedly abused while under anesthesia.
Garcia was arrested and pleaded guilty to one count of attempted child molestation, one count of sexual conduct with a minor, and two counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. These charges are classified as dangerous crimes against children.
A Florida doctor is facing charges of sexual battery after a patient found video evidence of him allegedly assaulting her during a cosmetic procedure, according to court filings. The incident occurred on October 25, 2025, when the 29-year-old woman visited Dr. Ronald F. DeMeo at his Miami practice.
The exact timing and circumstances of Garcia’s departure from the Chandler dental office remain unclear.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell stated that Garcia “was trusted with the care of vulnerable children during routine dental procedures, and he exploited that trust for his own sexual gratification.” She praised the efforts of the Chandler Police Department and sex crimes prosecutor Anshika Mehrotra in securing justice for the victims. “This 40-year sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes,” Mitchell concluded.
For those seeking information on protecting children from exploitation, resources are available at Know2Protect.
