A Centre County dentist is behind bars facing rape charges.
Dr. Wade Newman practices in Bellefonte, but was arrested and arraigned Friday with straight bail set at $1 million, after an investigation into an incident involving a patient in October 2016.
The patient was scheduled to undergo a procedure that required the administration of anesthesia. Newman took the patient from her home to another dentist’s office, where the procedure was performed.
Officials said the victim instructed Newman to drop her off at her mother’s home, while the effects of the anesthesia wore off, but he instead took her to her unoccupied home. After assisting her into her house, he raped her, according to officials.
The rape was reported after the victim regained consciousness and the Spring Township Police Department began their investigation.
Newman later admitted he was attracted to the victim and that he tried to engage in sexual intercourse with the victim after her surgery, but testing collected from a rape kit exam confirmed there was sexual contact between the victim and Newman.
Spring Township Police, State College Police, Bellefonte Police, Ferguson Township Police and State Police Rockview all contributed to the investigation.
Newman faces the following charges: on one count of rape of an unconscious person, one count of kidnapping, one count of sexual assault and two counts of indecent assault.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 5.
