Police and hospital administrators are both looking into what happened to a 13-year-old girl during her examination at a local sports clinic. The girl's parents say the examination crossed a line.
The parents of a 13-year-old soccer player are looking for answers after their daughter's physical exam. The exam took place at the St. Vincent Sports Performance Center.
The teenage girl claims a male technician had her undress with no female personnel present. Her mother also told police clinic personnel didn't give her an option of being in the exam room, something we talked to people about.
"I think the option is important for your own personal comfort. You can elect not to do that but if the option's there I think it would be beneficial for everybody," said Joie Woods.
A St Vincent spokesperson told us it's too early to go on camera about the case, but later issued this statement:
"We take this allegation very seriously, and are conducting an internal investigation to understand the facts of the situation. It is our priority to protect the safety and privacy of our patients. Our policy ensures that female associates are present in the room during all female adolescent patient ECHO examinations. In addition, our policy invites parents and guardians to be present during their child's preventive heart examination. We will continue to gather information, and review our internal policies to ensure optimal service for our patients and families."
So far their investigation shows a female employee did witnessed the girl's exam, and that's standard operating procedure.
Pediatrician Dr. Michael McKenna is not related to the case, but at IU Hospital, he encourages parental presence.
"They are the best historian. They know the story so we are glad to have the parents there on every visit," said Dr. McKenna.
"As far as a parent being present, for a child under the age of 18 I think it should be something that is stipulated to make that mandated," said Phil Tinsley.
The parents who didn't want to go on camera say other soccer parents used the same services to save money on their kids' physicals. The plan now is to talk to them about their experience.
"There is so much going on these days and you don't know who you can and can not trust even in a doctor's office," said Tina Hobbs, parent.
Metro Detectives are investigating the girl's complaint. The hospital is too, because they have strict rules against what the girl claims happened. St. Vincent is working to identify the two technicians.
