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BATAVIA, Ill. -- A chiropractor from Batavia, Ill., pleaded guilty Thursday to felony counts related to secretly videotaping patients, including children, as they took off their clothes in his office.
The Kane County State’s Attorney’s office announced Thursday that Dr. David Hanson pleaded guilty to producing and disseminating child sexual abuse material, both Class X felonies.
These were two counts in a 76-count indictment against Hanson.
Kane County prosecutors said Hanson secretly videotaped patients, including children, while they undressed inside his chiropractic office, and shared the videos online.
Prosecutors said investigators found more than 180 videos of his patients as they undressed. Most were filmed on hidden cameras in a red-light room used for red-light and infrared therapy, which requires a person undergoing the therapy to undress, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said last year that the youngest victim was just three years old.
Hanson also possessed and disseminated child sexual abuse material not connected to his chiropractic office, prosecutors said.
Attorney Tom Connelly filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of one woman, identified only as Jane Doe, and her two children. The complaint accuses Hanson of hiding cameras “to look like Honeywell room fans” and encouraging her to “perform stretches in the red-light room while naked.”
Kane County Judge D.J. Tegler set a sentencing hearing for Hanson for Nov. 10.
If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:
- Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
- The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres’ website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling.
- The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: +1 866 925 4419 or +1 800 721 0066 (24/7)
- Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: +1 416 597 8808 (24/7)
- Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: +1 833 900 1010 (24/7)
- Trans Lifeline: +1 877 330 6366
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
- Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: +1 844 750 1648
- Read about your rights as a victim on the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website.
