A dental assistant was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of molesting a sedated 8-year-old girl in a Concord dental office, according to police.
Concord police are now searching for additional victims who were possibly also inappropriately touched while under the influence of medical gas by the suspect, identified as 24-year-old Alejandro Saro.
The Antioch resident was arrested on Saturday after officers responded to a report of child molestation that occurred at the La Clinica Monument dental office at 2000 Sierra Road, police said.
Saro, a dental assistant at the office, allegedly touched and photographed a girl's vaginal area as she was being sedated in the exam room, police said.
Police said the girl later told a relative what happened and the incident was then reported to police.
Police went to the suspect's home, where they seized his cell phone. His neighbors were confused and alarmed to find out the reason for the polices visit.
"It's horrible just to think that something can happen to your child," said Ginesa Inigeuz, a neighbor. She said she saw detectives seize photos and videos from Saro's Antioch home.
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Saro is being held at Martinez Detention Facility on $8.1 million bail.
He has been charged with eight counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child and a count of possessing child pornography, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office.
Saro has worked at La Clinica Monument since March 2015 and worked at Concord's Patino Orthodontics before that, as well as Concord and Antioch locations of Western Dental, according to police.
La Clinica Monumental released the following statement on Thursday:
"La Clinica takes the safety of its patients very seriously, and is cooperating fully with the officials who are investigating this matter. For the privacy of our patients and all concerned, we cannot comment further."
Patients at the clinic are in shock and disbelief, with reactions ranging from "oh my gosh. That's disgusting" to "those things shouldn't have happened in this place."
Authorities said evidence shows the molestations may have also happened at his prior job at Patino Orthodontics. That office had no comment on Thursday.
Concord Police Cpl. Christopher Blakely said no other victims have been identified, but said anyone who recognizes the suspect and noticed suspicious behavior should contact police.
Anyone with information can call Concord Police Department's special victims unit at 925-603-5836. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can do so by calling 925-603-5836.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
