A Cambria County pediatrician will head to trial for allegedly touching a child inappropriately.
Johnnie Barto, 70, appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
Barto allegedly inappropriately touched a 12-year-old girl during a doctor’s visit back in December. Police said the victim immediately told her family, who reported it to police.
The child told investigators that during that doctor’s visit, Barto had the victim sit on his lap, then reached his hand inside her pants and rubbed her private parts.
Detectives said Barto admitted to the inappropriate contact in a statement made to police.
Barto is facing several charges including indecent assault on someone under 13-years-old and corruption of minors.
In court, Barto’s attorney, David Weaver, argued that the alleged inappropriate contact may have been inadvertent and that Barto’s statement to police is not a confession.
“I never said it was an accident, nor have I seen any statements that the doctor might have given to police. We’re still waiting to look at some of that evidence,” Weaver said.
Barto is pleading not guilty to all charges. A trial date is tentatively scheduled for May.