Snohomish chiropractor accused of sex crimes
SNOHOMISH — The Snohomish chiropractor accused of inappropriately touching clients faces eight criminal counts of taking indecent liberties with patients.
Snohomish Police detectives arrested Dr. Ken Parker of the chiropractic office on Second Street and Avenue C on Thursday, April 29.
At the time, detectives had identified six alleged victims and said the most recent incident happened April 19.
Parker is also being investigated for practicing without a license.
Indecent liberties with a patient is a felony sex crime.
In February, the state Department of Health suspended Parker’s medical license for nine months as an agreed order for complaints from three patients he treated between 2016 and 2018 who accused him of sexual misconduct involving their breasts, a December 2019 decision from a state chiropractor commission says. Two said they were asked to disrobe without being given privacy.
The person who reported to police said her January appointment was with the other chiropractor in the office, and later learned Parker treated her. She wasn’t clear why her doctor was switched. It was her first time ever seeing a chiropractor.
During the chiropractic visit, after a series of procedures involving her shoulder blades, lower back, thighs and glutes, Parker then said he needed to do the same to her sternum, and placed his hand under her breasts. Later, Parker had her assume a “push up” position, and instructed her to lower her body with his open hand under one breast and then the other.
After further procedures where he touched her breasts, she described that there was an awkward conversation where she sensed Parker “seemed visibly tense and uncomfortable” and he spent time “repeatedly referring to the fact he ‘had’ to touch her breasts” for the procedures, detective Stuart Gort wrote from interview notes.
She noted during her visit that Parker told her that he’d been accused of inappropriate touching before, so he was “glad she understood” his technique involved touching the breasts.
Parker’s case is in Snohomish County District Court. A judge set the bail at $250,000 on Friday, April 30.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims. Anyone who believes that they may be a victim of Parker’s, or who has any information, is encouraged to contact Snohomish Police at 360-568-0888.
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