LAKE WALES, Fla. (WFLA) — The Lake Wales Police Department arrested a doctor Monday after he was charged with video voyeurism.
According to detectives, Dr. Pola Gayed of Ava Rehab Clinic was accused of using a hidden Ring Camera to record a 16-year-old patient in a changing room.
Deputy Chief Troy Schulze said the victim had been a patient at Ava Rehab Clinic for some time, having attended several appointments with Gayed.
The deputy chief said on her first two visits, the victim was accompanied with a parent. According to the police, she was instructed to change in a bathroom and was given a towel to cover herself up because the paper gown she had was too thin.
However, authorities said on her third and fourth visit, she was sent to an exam room to change without a towel. It was on the fourth visit that she saw the partially hidden ring camera with the record light on.
“Obviously, she’s shaken,” Schulze said. “She’s upset by this. She’s a 16-year-old girl. I think any adult would be shaken by that, just a complete breach of trust here from a doctor.”
The recording from the Ring camera was deleted after the patient left, police said
According to the deputy chief, the patient told her parents what happened and on Jan. 25, the family went to Lake Wales police to report the incident.
Gayed was arrested on felony charges of video voyeurism and tampering with evidence.
Schulze said there could be more victims and encouraged anyone who may have noticed the Ring camera to come forward. However, the deputy chief stated that there is no indication that other patients were victimized at this time.
“It’s disgusting that somebody would go to this level to breach that trust that where you go to get help, you’re victimized,” the deputy chief said, adding that he hopes Gayed never sees another patient again.
On the Ava Rehab clinic website, Gayed’s bio states that he is “family oriented and happily married” and treats “all patients as he wishes to be treated.” The clinic’s informational page also suggests it is a faith-based practice, citing Christian values.
A judge set Gayed’s bond at $25,000 for the tampering with evidence and video voyeurism charges.
Conditions of pre-trial release include the surrender of his passport and to not interact with any minors, besides his two young children.
Police asked anyone with information on the allegations to call them at 863-678-4223 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400-TIPS (8477).