Round Lake Park dentist found not guilty
EDITOR'S NOTE: Dr. Hannah Kim was found not guilty and all charges against her were dropped after the judge ruled it was a case of the child becoming upset during treatment, not battery.
A Round Lake Beach dentist is charged with battery after allegedly covering the mouth of a 5-year-old patient to stop the girl from crying.
Round Lake Beach Deputy Police Chief Rich Chiarello said Dr. Hannah Kim, who owns Grande Smile Dental, 978 E. Rollins Road, gave the girl a shot of novocaine prior to working on a cavity during an Aug. 30 office visit.
According to police, the Lake Villa girl started crying and Kim covered the child's mouth with her latex-gloved hand. After the girl's mouth was covered, she began to vomit, Chiarello said.
The child and her mother immediately left the office and called police.
Kim could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Her Chicago-based attorney, William Hale, said when the matter goes to court, Kim will indicate she followed the procedure she was taught when dealing with younger patients.
Hale didn't know how long Kim has been a practicing dentist but estimated it to be several years.
Before opening Grande Smile Dental, Kim worked at West Town Dental Service in Chicago as recently as September 2006.
Hale has no knowledge of Kim previously being in trouble with the law.
Chiarello confirmed police never have had a complaint against Kim and always have had a good working relationship with the dental office.
Chiarello said Kim has been charged locally, and a judge would determine any penalties.
"Dr. Kim gave a statement to the officer that was consistent with the allegation, and substantiated the charge of battery," Chiarello said.
The girl's mother, Sandra Morton, said she was at the Round Lake Beach police station Tuesday and urged state charges be filed.
"My daughter is absolutely traumatized by this," Morton said. "Thank God I was there. She could have asphyxiated on her own vomit."
Morton said the Aug. 30 visit was only the second time her daughter had visited a dentist. Morton was referred to Kim by her insurance company.
The case will be in Round Lake Beach branch court Oct. 2.