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Eau Claire (WQOW) - The lawyer for a prominent Eau Claire pediatrician accused of sexual assault responds to those charges Thursday.
Dr. David Van de Loo was in court Thursday on charges of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old patient who was getting a sports physical. Van de Loo is being represented by former district attorney Rich White. He maintains the doctor has not done anything inappropriate despite several pediatric experts who told investigators there was no medical reason for Van de Loo's alleged actions.
"It's not about whether he made an employment mistake, it's not about whether he made a medical practice mistake. Those are separate issues. No doctor in the world can testify that someone else did something with a sexual intent. All those doctors could testify about is whether or not Dr. Van de Loo did something professionally that they don't agree with," says Defense Attorney Rich White.
Eau Claire County District Attorney Brian Wright believes that there is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that his office can prove the charges. And Wright says he can't think of any case that is more serious to the community.
"Well I think the community, parents, children -- there's a trust that has to exist between families and doctors. And what is alleged to have occurred here is a complete violation of that trust," says Wright.
Since the allegations came out yesterday against Dr. Van de Loo, police tell WQOW News 18 they have been getting calls from concerned parents. They are continuing to investigate.
Van de Loo was released from jail Thursday, with orders not to have unsupervised contact with children. He also cannot leave the state.
