A dental assistant who pleaded guilty to inappropriately touching and taking images of undressed pediatric patients during x-ray exams at an Arizona dental practice was sentenced to 40 years in prison, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in Arizona.
Deion Garcia, 29, who worked at Kidiatric Dental & Orthodontics in Chandler, AZ, also was sentenced to lifetime supervised probation. In April, Garcia pleaded guilty to one count of attempted molestation of a child, one count of sexual conduct with a minor, and two counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor.
Deion Alexander Garcia.Maricopa County's Sheriff's Office.
“This 40-year sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in the attorney’s office press release dated July 17.
To date, two lawsuits related to Garcia’s alleged behavior have been filed against Kidiatric.
In April 2025, the family that triggered the initial investigation into Garcia filed a lawsuit claiming that their 6-year-old child went to Kidiatric Dental and while alone with Garcia to take x-rays, he pulled down her shorts and underwear, inappropriately touched her, and took photos of her with his phone.
Furthermore, the parents accuse Garcia and Kidiatric of negligent training, hiring, and supervision. Also, they allege the practice and its owner, Dr. Walter Villanueva, knew or should have known about a 2022 incident against Garcia, which didn't result in charges, that was “criminal.”
In May, Villaneuva, 46, was charged with failure to report nonaccidental injuries and physical neglect of minors, stemming from Garcia’s crimes. The charge against Villaneuva is a felony.*
In 2022, while Garcia was employed at Kidiatric's practice, a 6-year-old girl reportedly told her parents that Garcia touched her inappropriately during her x-ray exam. The parents told police that their daughter purportedly acted differently after Garcia took her x-rays, and she allegedly said she never wanted to go back there again, according to reports.
The girl was interviewed by authorities, but no DNA evidence linked Garcia to these claims, and the investigation was closed due to a lack of evidence.
* A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
