Chiropractor is accused of fondling patients

PROVO — An American Fork chiropractor was arrested Monday, accused of inappropriately touching a female employee and several female patients.

The woman went to police at the end of May and said she was quitting her job because her boss, Grant Hildreth, made her disrobe during her exams and would rub her genital area and breasts, according to a police affidavit filed in 4th District Court.

The woman told police that Hildreth, 44, who practiced at Alpha Life Chiropractic, 8 E. Main, would tell her she "needed a man" and that "he's not just for one woman," according to the affidavit.

Hildreth also made the woman disrobe every time he worked on her and one time took away the gown, refusing to give it back for several minutes, according to the affidavit.

After talking with police about Hildreth, the woman went back into the office wearing a recording device so police could listen to the conversation.

Hildreth did not deny touching her breasts but apologized if it made her feel uncomfortable.

He stated that "everything was for her," according to the affidavit.

Calls to Hildreth's clinic for comment were not returned.

The employee also gave police names of other women patients.

During follow-up interviews with female patients, the women told police officers that Hildreth had touched their genitals and breasts, according to the affidavit.

Police arrested Hildreth after a brief interview in his American Fork office during which he denied any of the accusations, according to the affidavit.

He was taken to the police department headquarters, where officers learned he had a criminal history in Montana, having been charged with a felony sexual assault, according to the affidavit.

He was booked into the Utah County Jail Monday around 1 p.m. and bailed out of jail Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. on a $25,000 cash or bond bail.

Tuesday morning he appeared in 4th District Court video screen from the jail to have his bail amount set.

Hildreth's attorney said Wednesday the chiropractor maintains his innocence.

"He is claiming his innocence and we're planning on fighting it and going to trial," said criminal defense attorney Carolyn Howard-Morris.

"We have several female patients that have offered to testify on his behalf that he has not committed inappropriate behavior (with them)," Howard-Morris said.

She and co-council Aaron Bartholomew were retained Monday morning.

Hildreth's chiropractor license is active in Utah, according to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.

"We're aware of the arrest and will be reviewing the case," said division spokeswoman Jennifer Bolton.

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