Dayton doctor Henry William Albers arrested on rape charges

DAYTON, Ohio - Sugarcreek Township, Ohio police have charged a well-respected doctor with a long list of sex crimes. Authorities said the victim was a child.

Dr. Henry Albers, 47, an orthopedic surgeon, was charged with multiple counts of rape, sexual battery, and gross sexual imposition involving a 16-year-old girl who trusted him, according to police.

Dr. Albers treated thousands of children in the Miami Valley. He had private offices on Miami Valley Drive and Centerville Business Parkway. He also had privileges to practice medicine at several major hospitals in the Miami Valley.

The arrest stunned the medical community and patients who thought highly of him.

"I think that sometimes they think they have a get out of jail free ticket, and they take a lot for granted," said Centerville resident Cathy Parden.
"They think because I am well respected, because I have high education, I'm exempt."

Sugarcreek Township police said there was definitely no free pass for the doctor.

"Sunday afteoon, a township resident along with her daughter came into the police department to report this misconduct," said Sgt. Mark White, with the Sugarcreek Township Police Department.

Police said the alleged incidents happened over the last few months.

Hearing about this case was very personal for Parden. "I was a rape victim myself, as a child," she said.

Parden said the suspect's actions will leave emotional scars on the victim.

"She will go through a lot of mistrust. She will have a lot of issues. A lot of healing to do," said Parden.

Police said outraged residents started calling 911 as soon as they heard about the arrest of Dr. Albers. Some of them were shocked to hear about the charges, others were coming to the doctor's defense.

"A lot of people have a lot of trust built up in a doctor they've known for years," said Sgt. White.

2 NEWS contacted the Orthopedic Center for Spinal and Pediatric Care and a media contact sent a written statement from the private practice, stating, " Dr. Albers has been suspended from the practice and is no longer seeing patients."

Media representative Kelly Kavanaugh went on to state, "None of these charges involve Dr. Albers' role as a physician caring for his patients."

Police said the victim was not a patient of Dr. Albers, and that they did not believe there were any other victims out there.

Dr. Albers was released from jail after posting bond on Thursday.