Santa Ana Police detectives believe there may be more victims of a dental assistant arrested on suspicion of molesting two girls who are now 6 and 7.
Tommy Medina, 25, of Santa Ana, was arrested Wednesday at his place of employment, OC Kids Dental, 630 S. Main St., Unit C, Santa Ana, according to a police department advisory.
The older girl was allegedly molested in a private room at the dental facility in 2013 and the younger the following year, police say.
“Medina had access to many children at OC Kids Dental during his four years of employment,” states the advisory. “This access, as well as his position as a dental assistant, allowed Medina the opportunity to interact with children in a trusting environment.”
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Due to this “access and opportunity,” detectives believe there may be additional victims, according to the advisory.
Santa Ana Police spokesman Cpl. Anthony Bertagna expounded on this to City News Service: “This is an all-child dental care facility and this individual has had access to nothing but children for years. For some reason, the children are taken to a private room and parents are not allowed to stay with the children, which gives the suspect one-on-one time with these children in a private room.”
“Parents or guardians of children who received dental services at OC Kids Dental from 2012-2015, are encouraged to talk to their children about their interactions with dental assistant Tommy Medina,” reads the advisory. “Detectives and child interview specialists are available to speak to children if the parent suspects any inappropriate conduct.”
The first victim, who was 5 at the time, did tell her parents right away in 2013, but there was not enough evidence to arrest Medina, according to Bertagna. The second victim came forward recently, he added.
Booked on suspicion of sexual assault against a child 10 years or younger, Medina is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Orange County Jail. Anyone who believes he may have preyed on a child is urged to call detectives at 714.245.8351.
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