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For the second day, protestors stood outside Dr. Howard Schneider's office Wednesday, waving signs that claim the pediatric dentist hurt their children while in his care.
Hours later, Schneider spoke out for the first time from the steps of his home in Riverside.
"I am very pissed off. That's the only word I can use," Schneider said. "I'm a good dentist. I do nothing wrong. I give these kids the best treatment. Somebody started a deal and they're preying on it. And I'm tired of it."
Action News broke the story Wednesday, that the state Attorney General's Office has an active criminal investigation against Schneider, something he said he knows nothing about.
"I haven't done anything. I don't know about a criminal thing," Schneider said.
The details of that investigation have not been made public.
Law and safety expert Dale Carson says any investigation will take time.
"This tells me the state and law enforcement are taking notice, but it still has to be determined whether a violation actually occurred. We don't want to make allegations against people when they're not true."
Protestor and parent of a former patient, Justine King, said parents can't afford to wait.
"I hope that they freeze him and not let him work on any more kids until the investigation is complete and his doors are closed," King said.
A local law firm is working with parents who have questions about Schneider’s billing practices.
According to court records, Schneider was the defendant in two professional malpractice suits in Duval County in 1995.
Officials with the Florida Department of Children and Families said the law prevents the agency from releasing any information on past or current investigations into abuse, unless a child dies. John Harrell, DCF’s Northeast Region Communications Director, said:
“The Florida Department of Children and Families does have the legal authority to investigate abuse and neglect of children by parents, caregivers such as relatives, and teachers or school personnel. The law does not give DCF the authority to investigate allegations involving doctors or dentists. We would encourage parents to contact law enforcement or the appropriate regulatory agencies if they have concerns regarding their children in these settings.
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