official statement regarding Dr. Arun Aggarwal

12/21/2017

We thank the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office and Dayton Police Department for their thorough investigation of Dr. Arun Aggarwal. Dayton Children’s and its employees have fully cooperated at every stage of the investigation and prosecution involving Dr. Aggarwal. 

We understand and fully recognize our obligations concerning the reporting of suspected abuse or neglect.  In fact, we have strengthened our policies, procedures and processes as a result of this situation. As such, our commitment to children has never been stronger.  Safety is, as always, our top priority and we will continue to seek ways to improve and better serve children and their families.

8/17/2017

Today, the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office indicted Dr. Arun Aggarwal on charges of gross sexual imposition, stemming from two complaints while he worked at Dayton Children's. 

We are deeply saddened by this situation and, as we have throughout the investigation, fully support the efforts of the officers and prosecutors in their thorough and intensive investigation. 

At the same time, we have focused our efforts on strengthening our process in responding to allegations of this nature to ensure families feel safe.  These improvements include:

• Established a new process of having similar concerns reviewed immediately by our child abuse experts, who will ensure that reports are promptly made to the appropriate authorities
• Instituted one of the most stringent chaperone policies in the country to reassure parents and patients
• Worked with our health care providers to help them do a better job of communicating to children and parents BEFORE they examine a child, so there is no misinterpretation and any questions or concerns can be managed prior to the exam.

The safety of our patients is our top priority. We want to assure parents that we will not tolerate any actions which could impact our quality of care or breach the trust placed in us by patients, parents and the community.