EVERETT — Detectives have arrested an Everett optometrist for investigation of molesting a young patient.
The allegations stem from an appointment a 10-year-old girl had at the office of John O’Brien in the 3700 block of Broadway on Aug. 20.
During the initial examination, her father was in the room with his daughter, police officer Aaron Snell said. She had been referred to the office to determine if she needed glasses.
Both returned to the waiting room after her eyes were dilated and waited 15 minutes for a follow-up exam. When the daughter was called, the father was told he wasn’t needed and should wait. The father did as instructed, Snell said.
The girl told authorities only the optometrist was in the exam room with her.
O’Brien allegedly took off the girl’s shirt and squeezed her breasts. He allegedly told her that it was to check her symptoms.
The girl alleges he took pictures with his cellphone before instructing her to take off her pants.
When the girl questioned him, he allegedly repeated his instructions and pulled down her pants.
“The victim described there being a tug of war between them and her pulling her pants back up and him pulling them back down,” according to a police report filed to establish probable cause for the arrest.
“She said that O’Brien had told her repeatedly to close her eyes and that is part of the exam. During these times she saw flashes of light.”
The girl said she believed he was taking pictures with his cellphone.
She didn’t tell her father what happened but told her mother when she got home.
She was taken to a local hospital where a nurse administered a forensic examination and called 911.
O’Brien, 33, of Bellevue, was interviewed Sept. 11, but denied the allegations.
“At the time, there was not enough evidence and O’Brien was released pending further investigation,” Snell said.
Police obtained a search warrant for his phone. That search yielded seven images consistent with the victim’s version of the incident, Snell said.
O’Brien was arrested at his Bellevue home Tuesday. He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of child molestation, sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
A more detailed search of the cellphone along with his home computer, storage devices and tablet are pending, Snell said.
O’Brien moved to Washington from North Carolina about two months ago.
Detectives believe there may be more victims. If there are, they can call 911 or the tip line 425-257-8450, he said.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.
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