Protest held after Howard Schneider found incompetent to stand trial for Medicaid fraud

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Some are demanding answers after dozens of adults claimed a former pediatric dentist purposely hurt their children.

Action News Jax has investigated more than a hundred claims from former patients. Howard Schneider faced Medicaid fraud charges, but was found incompetent to stand trial for Medicaid fraud last week. Now, many of the plaintiffs claim the legal system has failed them and their child.

The claims surfaced in April 2015. Dr. Schneider eventually gave up his license to practice in Florida and closed his medical practice.

People gathered Monday to protest outside the former dental office.

“He should spend the rest of his life in jail for abusing all those children and destroying all those children’s lives," said Pamela Griffin, a protestor.

“I want to be here to show that there is more people out here with heart and that they truly care about what happens to these children and what happens to that man," said Amy Wade, a protestor. “We did leave it to the state to handle this and they did not handle this -- they have failed the children who were hurt by this man.”

There are more than a hundred claims from former patients against Schneider. Some said he purposely did extra procedures to rack up the price while others claim none of his equipment was sterile.

“Dr. Schneider tied him down to a board, then pulled the wrong tooth after he put something in his mouth to spread it open. His lips were bleeding because he actually had his mouth so wide open.

"My child was screaming at the top of his lungs," said  Griffin. "And Dr. Schneider looked at me and said this was my favorite part. I tried to get Dr. Schneider away from my child."

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Cox Media Group