A dental assistant accused of molesting several children in a Concord dental office appeared in court for the first time on Thursday.
Investigators said Alejandro Saro inappropriately touched the children and recorded the crimes on video. Police said many of the children were under sedation when the attacks happened.
"It sends shock waves through our community when you realize a place you think your children are safe, they are not," Contra Costa County Senior Deputy District Attorney Paul Graves said.
The 24-year-old Saro worked as a dental assistant at La Clinica Monument in Concord. He faces charges he molested several children in the exam room.
Graves said it is one of the most alarming cases he has ever seen.
"Not n the 20 years that I've been here, not with this many victims and this type of situation," Graves said. "It's particularly troubling."
Investigators have identified four victims, but think there could be dozens more.
Concord police's tip line has been flooded with calls.
Graves said the case is a huge wake-up call for parents.
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"Anytime your child is outside of your view and they're going to have some kind of procedure, if at all possible be with your child," Graves said.
Graves is calling Saro's latest victim, an 8-year-old girl who came forward to police, a hero.
"(Saro) would still be working in that clinic and this would still be going on," Graves said if the girl had not come forward.
Concord police have set up a dedicated hotline for the public to call if they have more information on the case at 925-603-5836. Detectives said because they are receiving so much information, callers should leave the name of the child, date of birth, location child was seen, and the date and time.
