A 36-year-old dental assistant who worked at offices in Bellflower and Rosemead was in custody today on suspicion of molesting a 15-year-old girl during dental visits over the past six months, authorities said.
Saul Robles was arrested at work on March 5 and is being held at the Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles in lieu of $320,000 bail, according to Los Angeles County sheriff's online booking records.
Robles' is scheduled to appear at the Rio Hondo courthouse in El Monte on April 5, according to sheriff's records.
Over the past four years, Robles worked at Smile Care Dental, which has offices in Bellflower and Rosemead. He has been a dental hygienist in the Los Angeles area for the past six years, according to a sheriff's department statement.
The victim notified her parents of the abuse and they contacted authorities, officials said.
A statement released today by SmileCare said the company was informed of the allegations against Robles by the sheriff's department.
"Prior to being notified by law enforcement, SmileCare had no knowledge of the allegations and is cooperating fully with authorities," the statement says. "We regard our patients' rights to privacy and professionalism as fundamental. We will continue to cooperate with law enforcement in its investigation."
Detectives asked for the public's help in finding other possible victims and urged anyone with information to call the sheriff's Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-5273.
