Police: 5 women come forward against Charlotte doctor

By Mark Becker

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have heard from a total of five women who may have been fondled by a south Charlotte doctor.

Dr. Mario Hernandez originally turned himself in on charges that he sexually assaulted three women at his office.

Police said Wednesday that two more women claimed to have been victimized by the doctor.

Six days later a 32-year-old woman called police from Hernandez's office saying she had been fondled.

According to police reports and court documents, a 29-year-old woman first reported an assault on Nov. 24.

On Dec. 4, a third woman told police Hernandez had sexually assaulted her in May.

Attorney Mark Jetton represented Hernandez at his first court appearance Tuesday and said the doctor strongly denies the charges and will fight them in court.

The North Carolina Medical Board said late Tuesday that Hernandez’s license is still active, but it is standard procedure to begin an investigation when a physician is charged with criminal activity.

Charlotte doctor charged with sex assault during exams

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit have charged a Charlotte doctor after three women reported he sexually assaulted them during medical exams at this office on Arrowood Road.

Officials said Dr. Mario Hernandez was arrested and charged with three separate counts of second-degree sexual offense for his involvement in the alleged incidents.

According to police, an adult woman reported on Nov. 25 that she went to a medical facility in the 800 block of Arrowood Road for a medical examination.

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Hernandez sexually assaulted the victim, according to a CMPD news release. After leaving the facility the victim reported the incident to police.

On Nov. 30, a second woman reported that she went to a medical facility in the 800 block of Arrowood Road for a medical examination. Hernandez sexually assaulted that victim, police said. The victim reported the incident to police after leaving the facility.

On Friday, a third woman reported that on May 6 she went to a medical facility in the 800 block of Arrowood Road for a medical examination. Hernandez sexually assaulted the victim, police said.

Detectives with the Sexual Assault Unit were notified of the incidents and launched an investigation and Hernandez voluntarily turned himself in to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office on Monday.

He was jailed under a $52,500 bond and was released on his own recognizance.

The website for Hernandez's practice stresses the importance of the patient-physician relationship, highlights bilingual care and even promises to help those without health insurance.

Hernandez has a clean record and there are no reports of any previous complaints, according to the N.C. Medical Board.

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