Nicholas Vanderhyde, a 40-year-old doctor based in California, has been arrested following the shocking discovery of a hidden camera in the bathroom of his Santa Clarita clinic. The incident, which has left many patients and their families deeply concerned, began with an employee’s alarming find on May 8.
According to reports, the camera was secretly taped to a cabinet and connected to a power bank, positioned to capture footage of individuals using the bathroom. The employee stumbled upon the camera while retrieving her phone from the same cabinet. The camera was clearly aimed at the toilet, indicating it was set up to record patients during private moments.
Following this discovery, an investigation led to Vanderhyde’s arrest on June 4. He faces charges related to the possession of child pornography. Vanderhyde has been released on bail, and it remains unclear whether he has secured legal representation.
In the wake of these events, 17 people, including four minors, have filed a lawsuit against Vanderhyde and The Joint Chiropractic clinic. The lawsuit accuses Vanderhyde of deliberately placing the camera to record patients, including children, while they were undressed. The plaintiffs also claim that the clinic failed to determine whether any images of patients were retained or distributed and that they were aware of Vanderhyde’s problematic behavior but did nothing to stop it.
The lawsuit further alleges that The Joint Chiropractic clinic allowed Vanderhyde to continue his practice despite knowing he was engaging in inappropriate treatment methods not endorsed by the clinic. Specifically, it’s claimed that he performed unauthorized and invasive procedures, such as upper inner thigh massages, on patients, including inappropriate touching.
In response to the lawsuit, The Joint Chiropractic clinic issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to patient and staff safety. They declined to comment further on the ongoing legal matters but assured that maintaining the integrity of their services and the safety of everyone involved remains their highest priority.
This case underscores serious concerns about patient privacy and safety, and it raises questions about how effectively clinics monitor the behavior of their staff and protect their patients.
