OREM, Utah - An Orem chiropractor has been charged with object rape, sexual battery and forcible sexual abuse.
Dale Heath, 56, is facing five counts of sexual battery, one count of forcible sex abuse, one count of object rape and a count of writing false statements.
Officials said Heath has been practicing since 2011.
The allegations against him started in 2011 when a victim told authorities she was inappropriately touched during several visits.
Police said a second victim came forward in 2013 and reported being inappropriately touched as well.
Detectives said they met with prosecutors but the attorneys said they didn't think there was enough evidence to go forward with the case.
Authorities said they also spoke to Heath about safe practices to avoid similar complaints in the future.
They said Heath agreed to have a chaperone present when he treated female patients and was to explain procedures to the patients before touching sensitive areas.
In Feb. 2015, another victim came forward.
Police again interviewed Heath who again denied inappropriately touching his patients.
Officials said Heath also said he had never treated a female patient without a chaperone in the room.
However, when officers talked to the chaperones, they admitted to signing the log even though they had not been present in the room.
Heath has not been booked into jail. He will get a summons to appear in court.
Heath's attorney released the following statement on behalf of the chiropractor:
“Dr. Dale Heath publicly denies the false accusations made against him. Contrary to the claims made by the authorities, Dr. Heath has been practicing chiropractic care for nearly thirty years, providing sought after pain relief to more than 4,400 patients, nearly all of whom were referred by existing patients. For the last twenty years, Dr. Heath has provided chiropractic care to his patients out of his offices in Utah County. Because of Dr. Heath’s innocence and for the sake of his profession, livelihood, family, and patients, Dr. Heath will vigorously defend himself. When all of the evidence comes to light, Dr. Heath is confident he will be vindicated and respectfully requests that, in the interim, his privacy, and the privacy of his family, friends, and patients be respected.”
Authorities are asking any other victims to come forward in this case.
If you have any information, you can call police at 801-229-7070.
